Unilateral endonasal approach of pituitary adenomas.

The endonasal approach for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is a simple techn ique for exposing the floor of the sella turcica. In our institution we hav e operated 162 patients (64 microadenomas and 98 macroadenomas), over a ten -year period, by using that approach. The floor of the sells turcica is exp osed through an incision performed posteriorly to the nostril at the juncti on of cartilaginous and bony septum. Postoperative rhinological complicatio ns are less frequently observed after unilateral endonasal approach than af ter sublabial one, and it is more comfortable for the patient. The morbidit y of unilateral endonasal transsphenoidal approach is comparable to that of other series.