Endoscopic transsphenoidal vidian neurectomy

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe a novel technique for endoscopic vidian neurectomy (EVN) based on preoperative computed tomography (CT) classification of the vidian canal (VC), and to present anatomical and surgical findings from an initial series. Retrospective study, consisting of medical chart review and patient interviews, of all preoperative CT-guided EVN procedures was performed from 2006 to 2010 at a tertiary-care medical center. A total of 89 patients with intractable rhinorrhea (77 males and 12 females, mean age 29 years, age range 16–57 years) underwent bilateral EVN. Configuration of the VC was classified into three types based on preoperative CT findings. The technique for surgical access of each of these configurations is presented. The most common configuration of the VC was type 2 (47%). A wide, direct, and safe exposure of the vidian nerve was achieved in all cases. 84 of 89 patients completed the questionnaires regarding the postoperative improvement in quality of life. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 42 months, with an average of 19.6 months. 77 of 84 (91.7%) patients were satisfied with their surgical result. Two patients underwent revision ETSVN due to relapsed symptoms. With the help of a preoperative CT scan of the paranasal sinuses, the vidian nerve can be identified precisely via an endoscopic intrasphenoidal or transsphenoidal approach, which provides an easy and reliable way to perform vidian neurectomy.