Postoperative complications of pituitary tumor surgery

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on August 31, 2024
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For patients with pituitary tumors, a range of complications, sequelae, or concomitant ailments can easily occur after surgery. For instance, postoperative sellar hematoma may occur, and some patients may even experience the rupture of a pseudoaneurysm. Additionally, some patients may repeatedly suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and weakness in the limbs after surgery, along with significant memory decline, reduced cognitive function—including calculating ability, and orientation in time, space, and person—gradually diminishing. These are considered postoperative sequelae of pituitary tumor surgery.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is a pituitary tumor scary?

For pituitary tumors, if not treated promptly and effectively, the continuous enlargement of the tumor often causes patients to experience recurring symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Additionally, a series of endocrine hormone imbalances accompanying the tumor often manifest various symptoms and signs. When the pituitary tumor grows to a certain size, it can also potentially cause pituitary apoplexy. Therefore, it is advisable for patients with pituitary tumors to seek timely medical attention at local hospitals and undergo early surgical treatment. By opting for endonasal transsphenoidal surgery to completely remove the pituitary tumor, most patients can achieve very good treatment outcomes, with a gradual alleviation of existing symptoms.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Can pituitary tumors cause headaches?

For patients with pituitary tumors, headaches may occur. Most patients in the early stages often experience mild headaches located behind the eye sockets, the forehead, and on both sides of the temporal area. These headaches are generally tolerable and occur intermittently. They are mostly caused by the stimulation of the tumor or the increased pressure inside the sella. When the tumor enlarges to a certain extent and breaks upward through the diaphragm sellae, headaches are often alleviated. However, if the tumor further grows into surrounding tissues, it might compress important blood vessels and nerves, resulting in recurring pain with increasing severity.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is pituitary tumor surgery done under general anesthesia?

For patients with pituitary tumors, general anesthesia is typically recommended for surgery. Clinically, a combined inhalational and intravenous anesthesia approach is adopted for treatment. Before surgery, anesthesia induction is carried out to stabilize the patient, who then undergoes tracheal intubation for general combined anesthesia. As the surgery nears completion, appropriate medication may be used to help shorten the anesthesia process. After the surgery is fully completed, the patient is transferred to the recovery room. Once the anesthetic drugs are gradually metabolized and consciousness returns to clarity, the tracheal tube is effectively removed.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How long does it take to recover after pituitary tumor surgery?

For patients with pituitary tumors, about six months to a year after undergoing surgery, as the endocrine hormones in the body gradually return to normal, the patient's original symptoms or signs gradually diminish or even disappear, and the quality of the body also gradually recovers. At this time, patients often recover well. For such patients, it is necessary to visit the local hospital regularly after surgery for follow-up appointments, to have a cranial MRI to help assess the effects of the pituitary tumor surgery recovery, and to have blood drawn to test the endocrine hormones in the body to see if they have returned to normal levels. If there are still abnormalities, it is advisable to take medication to regulate them.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Pituitary tumor should see which department?

For pituitary tumors in the brain, it is generally recommended to seek treatment in neurosurgery. It is advised to choose a well-known neurosurgical hospital locally, or the neurosurgery department of a top-tier hospital, and consult with an experienced surgeon. The diagnosis should be further clarified based on the patient's symptoms, signs, and combined with cranial CT, cranial MRI, including enhanced MRI scans. Often, it is also necessary to test the levels of endocrine hormones in the patient's blood for a comprehensive assessment. Once confirmed as a pituitary tumor, clinically, it is advised that surgery is the best treatment option. Most patients gradually experience relief from their original symptoms after undergoing surgery.