Learn about transsphenoidal surgery at MSK in this short animation.
About Your Transsphenoidal Surgery
Your pituitary gland sits underneath your brain just below your optic nerve. It controls thyroid function and hormones throughout your body. When a tumor grows in the pituitary gland it can be removed with transsphenoidal surgery.
This surgery is done through the nose with no cuts to the lips, face, or skull.
There are two types of pituitary tumors: those that produce hormones (secreting) and those that don’t (non-secreting). The type of tumor will help decide if surgery is the right choice.
The surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses anesthesia. The team will use an endoscope, a camera with a light, to examine the inside of your nose. They reach the tumor through your sinuses and remove it piece by piece, being careful not to disrupt nerves or arteries. Then your surgeons will take a scan to make sure all of the tumor was removed. The holes are sealed up, using nose lining if needed. People stay in the hospital for two days after surgery.
The procedure doesn’t cause bruises or obvious marks but does cause nasal congestion that goes away. People can get back to most of their favorite activities right away.
