Frequency of Early Complications of Trans-sphenoidal Surgery

Objective: To determine the frequency of early complication of trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma.Material and Methods: This observational study was conducted at the department of Neurosurgery, Post-graduate medical institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from June 2009 to December 2010. A total of 63 consecutive patients who undergone Trans nasal trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma with age more than fourteen years were included in the study irrespective of their gender. These patients were followed up to 7 post op days for early complications and frequency of these complications was calculated.Results: Out of 63 patients, there were 52.4% males and 47.6% females. Majority (34.9%) of patients were in the age range of 31 – 40 years, followed by 28.6% patients in age group of 21 – 30 years. Among early post-operative complications diabetes Insipidus was noted in 7.9% cases, Postoperative CSF leak was recorded in 4.8% cases and meningitis was observed in 1.6% case.Conclusions: We conclude that most of our patients with pituitary adenoma were males in their 3rd or 4th decades of life. Diabetes Insipidus was the most common early post-operative complication followed by CSF leak and meningitis