Complications caused by excessive hemostatic tamponade in the removed tumor area in transnasal endoscopic surgery of pituitary adenoma

The phenomena of the mass effect of hemostatic material in the removed tumor area without the presence of a hematoma that causes or worsens the patient’s neurological status after surgery are difficult to diagnose and, with untimely help, causes irreversible neurological disorders. In world literature, we have found isolated sources describing similar complications. In the article, we present 7 clinical cases recorded from 2005 to 2019 in N. N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery and own experience in solving these difficult problems.

Multimaterial and multicolor 3D-printed model in training of transnasal endoscopic surgery for pituitary adenoma

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study was to investigate the practical value of a multimaterial and multicolor 3D-printed model in anatomical teaching, surgical training, and preoperative planning of transnasal endoscopic surgery for pituitary adenoma.METHODSMultimodality neuroimaging data were obtained in a 42-year-old healthy male volunteer and a 40-year-old female patient with an invasive nonfunctional pituitary adenoma. Three 3D-printed models were produced: a monomaterial and monocolor model, a monomaterial and multicolor model, and a multimaterial and multicolor model. The effects on anatomical teaching and surgical training for exposing the vidian nerve were assessed by 12 residents, and the training effect was validated on cadavers. The practical values for preoperative planning were evaluated by 6 experienced neurosurgeons. All evaluations were based on 5-point Likert questionnaires.RESULTSThe multimaterial and multicolor model was superior to the monomaterial models in surgical training for exposing the vidian nerve (Fisher test; p < 0.05). In addition, the multimaterial and multicolor model was superior to the monomaterial models in anatomical teaching and preoperative planning (Friedman test; p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSMultimaterial and multicolor 3D printing technology makes it convenient and efficient to produce a practical model for simulating individualized and complex anatomical structures in the sellar region. Furthermore, the multimaterial model can provide a more realistic manipulative experience for surgical training and facilitate the preoperative planning.