Surgical approaches to pituitary tumors

Since its initial description in the early 1900s, the transnasal transsphenoidal approach has been championed as the preferred route for removal of more than 90% of lesions of the sella turcica. In certain cases, the transcranial approach is appropriate. The transsphenoidal approach has further evolved with extended transsphenoidal approaches and endoscopic approaches in an effort to achieve complete tumor resection and low morbidity rates. In this article, the authors review the various surgical approaches for resecting pituitary tumors and other sellar lesions.