Surgeon's position for transsphenoidal surgery--technical note

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2001 Jun;41(6):330-1; discussion 331-2. doi: 10.2176/nmc.41.330.

Abstract

Transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors is usually performed with the surgeon standing on the patient's right side. However, this configuration is awkward when the tumor extends to the right and access may be hindered if the patient has poor nuchal flexibility or a large chest due to giantism or acromegaly. The surgeon stood on the left side of the patient during transsphenoidal surgery in five selected cases. The position on the left provided good access to the tumors with minimal changes in technique.

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Sphenoid Bone / surgery*