TRANSSPHER Study in Pituitary Patients Comparing Microscopic and Endoscopic Surgical Techniques

TRANSSPHER study is a prospective, observational study comparing extent of tumor resection between microscopic transsphenoidal surgery and fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for nonfunctioning macro-adenomas. The most widely accepted surgical technique is microscopic transsphenoidal surgery, in which an operating microscope is used by the surgeon to provide surgical visualization and a nasal speculum is used to maintain the operative corridor. Recently, fully endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, in which surgical visualization is achieved using an endoscope, has been adopted by many pituitary surgeons because the technique offers superior panoramic and angled visualization of the surgical target and may permit greater tumor resection. There is a vigorous debate in the neurosurgical community about the relative merits of the microscopic and endoscopic techniques. Proponents of the endoscopic technique argue that the superior visualization permits more aggressive tumor resection and better preservation of the normal pituitary gland. Proponents of the microscopic technique argue that it permits shorter operative times, results in similar surgical outcomes, and has a lower complication rate. This is a multi-center study conducted with the Barrow Neurological Institute.