Pseudocapsule-Based Resection for Pituitary Adenomas via the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach

IntroductionThe endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is a safe and effective treatment for pituitary adenomas (PAs). Since extracapsular resection (ER) of PAs improves tumor resection and endocrine remission rates, the interface between the pseudocapsule and gland draws increasing attention. However, it is difficult to precisely dissect the tumor along the exact boundary, and complete removal of the tumor increases the risks of normal tissue damage and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. In this study, we investigated the extracapsular resection as well as the pseudocapsule histology to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pseudocapsule-related surgical interventions.MethodsFrom December 2017 to December 2019, 189 patients of PAs via EEA in our single center were analyzed retrospectively. The images, operative details, and clinical follow-up of patients were collected. Sixty-four patients underwent pseudocapsule-based ER, and 125 patients also underwent traditional intracapsular resection (IR) with or without intensive excision for FPAs. The clinical characteristics, tumor resection, endocrinological outcomes, and postoperative morbidities of the two groups were compared. Informed consent for publication of our article was obtained from each patient. Histological examination of pseudocapsule was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and reticulin staining.ResultsThe gross total recession was 62 (96.9%) in the ER group and 107 (85.6%) cases in the IR group, whereas the endocrine remission rate was 29/31 (93.5%) and 40/53 (75.5%) cases, respectively. Anterior pituitary functions were not aggravated postoperatively in any patient, but transient diabetes insipidus (DI) occurred more in the IR group (64.0%) than in ER (48.4%). Pseudocapsule specimens were obtained in 93 patients, and clusters of small cell aggregation were detected in 11 pseudocapsule specimens (11.8%) whereas other patients showed no remarkable developed pseudocapsule. Intraoperative CSF leak occurred more in the ER group (28.1%) than in the IR group (13.6%), but no difference was seen between two groups postoperatively. No case of intracranial hematoma or pituitary crisis occurred in both groups. After a mean follow-up of 22.8 months, tumor recurrence was observed in 4 (2.1%) cases.ConclusionPseudocapsule-based extracapsular resection of PAs via EEA is an effective and safe procedure to achieve complete resection with high and sustained endocrine remission and without deteriorating pituitary function.

Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery for Macroadenomas: New Understanding of Pseudocapsules

PurposeExtracapsular resection of pituitary microadenomas has been widely reported, but only a few studies have carried out further investigations in macroadenomas, especially using the endonasal endoscopic approach. The authors of this study combined not only the interoperative characteristics of pituitary adenomas and pseudocapsules but also the surgical technique, outcomes and complications in macroadenomas to investigate the pseudocapsule.MethodsIn total, 143 consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas (maximum diameter 15 - 40 mm) who underwent endoscopic endonasal-transsphenoidal surgery between January 1, 2017, and August 1, 2019, were included in the study. ResultsAmong 143 patients, 48 patients had an intact pseudocapsule, 56 patients possessed an incomplete pseudocapsule and the remaining 38 patients had no pseudocapsule. A white and thick pseudocapsule was more frequent (p=0.016) in fibrous adenomas, but tumor fibrosis (p=0.004) and adenoma apoplexy (p<0.001) were the factors that predicted the pseudocapsular integrity and hindered en bloc extracapsular resection according to a logistic regression analysis. In addition, the adenoma size (p=0.185) did not influence pseudocapsular integrity. Partial capsulectomy for macroadenomas did not show a significant advantage over piecemeal resection in gross total tumor resection (GTR) or biochemical remission (p=0.731 and p=0.685, respectively), but GTR in whole capsular resection was 100%. Additionally, this resection method had a higher risk of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (p=0.010) and a lower incidence of new hormone deficit (p=0.043) than piecemeal resection.ConclusionsThe pseudocapsule widely exists in pituitary macroadenomas and extracapsular resection can improve GTR and hormone remission rate and reduce the occurrence of postoperative pituitary dysfunction in short-time.

Is Postextracapsular Tonsillectomy Bleeding More Common on the Side of the Surgeon’s Nondominant Hand?

Objectives To determine the difference in bleeding when extracapsular tonsillectomy with electrocautery is performed on the dominant and nondominant side of the surgeon’s hands. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic university hospital. Methods Medical record data of patients who were admitted with posttonsillectomy bleeding from January 1, 2000, to July 31, 2017, were reviewed. Included were age, sex, surgical indication, side of posttonsillectomy bleeding, and time of bleeding. Information on the surgeon’s dominant hand was also collected. All patients underwent total extracapsular resection with electrocautery. Results Of 280 patients, 186 met the inclusion criteria, 116 (62.3%) males and 70 (37.7%) females. Ages ranged from 2 to 74 years (mean ± SD, 17 ± 13 years; median, 13 years). In 136 cases (73.1%), bleeding was on the side of the surgeon’s nondominant hand ( P < .0001). In 50 (26.9%) cases, bleeding was on the side of the surgeon’s dominant hand. The odds ratio of bleeding on the side of the surgeon’s nondominant hand compared to the dominant hand was 8.99. Conclusion The risk of bleeding following extracapsular tonsillectomy with electrocautery on the side of the surgeon’s nondominant hand is significantly higher than on the side of the dominant hand. Thus, additional caution is required when operating on the nondominant side of the oral cavity in extracapsular tonsillectomy using electrocautery. These findings raise questions regarding dexterity as a risk factor for posttonsillectomy bleeding.

Simultaneous Opponensplasty and Free Gracilis Muscle Flap for Thenar Reconstruction after Arteriovenous Malformation Resection

We report the case of a thenar eminence arteriovenous malformation presenting with continuous growth and pain that was treated with surgical excision after embolization. Extracapsular resection compromised thenar muscles which function was reconstructed with extensor indicis proprius transfer for opposition and abduction, and neurotized free gracilis muscle flap for opposition and adduction, as well as thenar eminence reconstruction.

Fascicle Sparing Capsular Resections of Atypical Neurofibromas in Neurofibromatosis 1

INTRODUCTION Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients are predisposed to neurofibromas (NF), which can progress to premalignant atypical neurofibromas (ANF) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). Subtotal resection of ANF may prevent metastases and deaths, but local recurrences require reoperation. Here, we assess the surgical morbidity associated with gross total, extracapsular resection of targeted ANF nodules identified via serial volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-FDG-PET imaging. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 11 NF1 patients following 16 NF surgical resections of 21 tumors at the NIH Clinical Center between 2008 and 2018. Preoperative volumetric growth rates and 18F-FDG-PET SUVMAX of the target lesions were measured and assessed in tandem with postoperative complications, histopathological classification of the resected tumors, and surgical margins through Dunnett's multiple comparison tests and t-tests. RESULTS Preoperatively, 13 of the 14 (93%) sets of serial preoperative MRI scans showed rapid growth ( = 20% increase in volume per year), and 10 of the 11 (91%) 18F-FDG-PET scans indicated increased positron emission tomography (PET) avidity (median SUVMax = 6.45). Gross total, extracapsular resections of the targeted neurofibroma nodules were annotated by the surgeon in all 16 (100%) surgeries, and most surgeries (n = 14, 88%) resulted in no persistent postoperative parent nerve-related complications. SUVMax was significantly greater in the ANF (6.51 ± 0.83, P = .0042) and low grade MPNST (13.8, P = .0001) strata than in the benign NF (1.9) stratum. To date, none of the resected NF have recurred. CONCLUSION This study confirms that the combination of increased 18F-FDG-PET SUVMax, rapid growth, and pain can serve as reliable indicators of atypical transformation and the need for surgical intervention. We also demonstrate the ability to achieve safe, fascicle-sparing gross total, extracapsular resection of ANF using intraoperative nerve stimulation, histological verification, and continued monitoring for tumor recurrence.

Step-by-step Vascular Control for Extracapsular Resection of Complex Giant Liver Hemangioma Involving the Inferior Vena Cava

Massive hemorrhage remains an important clinical problem in extracapsular resection of giant liver hemangiomas (GLHs), especially for those involving the proximal hepatic veins and/or inferior vena cava. Between July 2004 and March 2012, 87 patients with a complex GLH scheduled for surgical treatment were included in this study. All patients were underwent vascular preparation (Step 1), advanced hepatic artery clamping (Step 2), and stepwise vascular occlusion (Step 3). Intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion volume, degree of ischemia–reperfusion injury, and postoperative complications were recorded. No patients required urgent vascular preparation to manage intraoperative bleeding. In total, 87, 64, and 21 patients had portal triad (PT), infra-hepatic inferior vena cava (IVC), and suprahepatic IVC preparation; and 17, 43, and 11 patients had PT, PTand suprahepatic IVC, and all three (PT, infra-, and suprahepatic IVC) occlusions. The PT, infrahepatic IVC, and SIVC occlusion times were 12.1 ± 3.7 minutes, 7.9 ± 2.4 minutes, and 3.2 ± 1.4 minutes, respectively. Mean blood loss was 291.9 ± 124.5 mL, and only four patients received blood transfusions. No patients had life-threatening complications or died (Clavien-Dindo Grade 4, 5). Compared with paralleled studies, this technique has an advantage to decrease the blood loss in less liver ischemia time. For complex GLH resections, the described step-by-step vascular control technique was efficacious and feasible for controlling intraoperative bleeding.