Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery--comparison with the traditional sublabial transseptal approach.

The technique of endoscopic transnasal, nontransseptal, transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is gaining increasing popularity. Many pituitary surgical teams consider it the procedure of choice. It provides a rapid and safe approach to the sella turcica. Within the sella turcica, the endoscopes give the surgeon the ability to inspect around the corner and to remove residual tumor. The procedure avoids the complications related to the sublabial transeptal approach. Hospital stay is shorter.