The learning curve for endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenomas. A single institution experience, Leeds, UK

The object of this study was to assess whether increasing operative experience results in greater endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenomas and lower complications.

A retrospective single institution cohort study was performed. Subjects underwent endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary macroadenoma between July 2009 and July 2016 by three neurosurgeons. Following data collection, statistical analysis compared percentage of tumor resection and length of hospital stay (LOS) with experience. Complications including CSF leak are reported.

In total, 142 patients (87 male, 55 female) mean age 55.1 were included. Surgeon 1 performed 106 cases; surgeon 2 performed 23 cases; and surgeon 3 performed 13 cases. Mean pre-operative tumor volumes were 8.18 cm³, 6.52 cm³, and 3.47 cm³ and post-operative volumes were 2.21, 1.74, and 1.93 cm³ for surgeons 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Respective percentage resections were 74.3, 77.2, and 52.1%. Analysis demonstrated no difference in tumor resection with increasing experience for all three surgeons (p = 0.11, p = 0.17, and p = 0.26). Tumor consistency and cavernous sinus involvement did not appear to affect tumor resection. Mean LOS was 5 days, 4 days, and 3 days, respectively, with no significant correlation with experience for all three surgeons. Intraoperative CSF leak incidence was 19/106 (18%) for surgeon 1, 6/23(26%) for surgeon 2, and 2/13(15%) for surgeon 3. Primary closure rate was 96.3% and only three other complications occurred.

This study demonstrates that in our institution there is no statistically significant learning curve for the endoscopic resection of pituitary macroadenoma. However, there is a trend of improvement in tumor resection with experience for one surgeon. These findings suggest that the surgeons in our institution were capable of performing this procedure effectively with a low complication rate since adoption of the endoscopic technique in 2009.