gms | German Medical Science

Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors of the selar region that originate from the remnants of Rhatke's pouch, constitute in general 2-5% of brain neoplasms and 6-13% of brain tumors in children, the treatment of choice is surgical, however, since tumor growth is in close relation with important neurovascular structures (Optic nerves, hypothalamus, carotid arteries and other vessels of the polygon of Willis), its resection is technically difficult even in the hands of neurosurgeons with ample experience. We do not know if with the use of transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery in our institution, better results are obtained in terms of percentage of tumor resection, visual conditions, hormonal axis recovery and postoperative complications compared to the transcranial resection route that has been the technique traditionally used. Transesphenoidal endoscopic resection of the craniopharyngiomas provides better visualization of neurovascular structures and less cerebral retraction, which results in a higher percentage of tumor resection, visual improvement, recovery of the pituitary hormonal axis and fewer complications than transcranial surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of tumor resection, pituitary axis, visual conditions and frequency of postoperative complications in patients submitted to transesphenoidal and transcranial endoscopic craniopharyngiomas tumor resection. For the above, a descriptive, retrospective, prolective, comparative study with review of files from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 were carried out, where tumor size were reviewed by image of resonance, visual status and hormonal profile before, three and twelve months after surgery, and immediate postoperative complications with transcranial surgery and endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.