Endoscopic transsphenoidal approach versus microscopic approach in children

ObjectivesTo confirm the efficacy and safeness of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal (ETS) approach in the treatment of sellar and parasellar lesions in children compared with the conventional microscopic transsphenoidal approach (CTS).Study designCase series with chart review.SettingA. Gemelli – University Hospital – Catholic University of Sacred Heart – Rome.Subject and methodsWe retrospectively evaluate 21 children (mean age 8.3 years) affected by sellar/parasellar lesions: 11 were treated via microscopic sublabial approach between 1995 and 2005 and 10 were treated with ETS approach between 2006 and 2009.ResultsThe past series (group A) comprised all sellar/suprasellar lesions and we observed: gross total surgical excision in 81.2% of cases, permanent morbidity in 1/11 patients, CSF fistula in 1/11 patients, mean hospitalization time of 5.8 days and PICU was required. The present series (group B) included 8 sellar/suprasellar and 2 clival lesions and we observed: GTS excision in 80% of the cases, no permanent morbidity, a mean hospitalization time of 4.1 days (P = 0.01), CSF fistula in 2/10 patients and the PICU was not required. 10/11 patient of group A underwent to blood transfusion vs 4/10 of the group B (P = 0.008). The mean pain score of group A was 5.8 ± 1.7 on the contrary in the group B it was 4.1 ± 1.5 (P = 0.006).ConclusionThe ETS approach to the sellar and parasellar region has proved its reliability and effectiveness in the adults. The minimal invasiveness makes it ideal for the treatment of pediatric lesion of this region, in which it is essential to preserve the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and of the naso-facial structures to assure the correct growth of the child.