Microsurgical treatment of craniopharyngioma by modified pterional approach / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical effect of microsurgical treatment of craniopharyngioma by modified pterional approach.Methods Forty-one patients were carried out a retrospective case study with craniopharyngioma who underwent microsurgieal treatment via modified pterional approach at our department.Preoperative preparation mainly included hormone replacement therapy and prevention of epilepsy.The modified pterional approach was adopted.The patients' clinical indications were monitored postoperatively such as consciousness, blood pressure, in and out quantity of water, urine specific gravity, electrolytes, CT and MRI, and prompt prevention and treatment of the complications including diabetes insipidus and disorder of electrolytes were carried out after the surgery.Meanwhile, measures were taken to prevent postoperative epilepsy and low level of hormone.Results Thrrty-three patients had total craniopharyngioma resection, 5 had subtotal craniopharyngioma resection and 3 had partial craniopharyngioma resection, and all of them survived from the surgery.2 to 19 months postoperative follow-up showed that 32 patients could normally live,study and work, while 9 patients had to be assisted for normal lives.There was a recurrence of the tumor in 3 patients out of 8 patients that had subtotal and partial craniopharyngioma resection within 12 months postoperatively.Conclusion Adopting modified pterional approach plus efficient and effective perioperative management can reduce the damage rate of hypothalamus and improve the total resection rate of the craniopharyngioma, and achieve good results of the treatment.