Extended Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery to Ventral Skull Base Lesions

Abstract Introduction In the last two decades, Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) have undergone a significant evolution with a major shift from a transsellar approach to a variety of approaches that can directly access the midline and paramedian ventral skull base. Once the technical feasibility of any surgical approach is established; its safety (assessed through complications), and treatment outcomes (assessed through long-term follow-up) should be addressed. Aim of the Study To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of EEA as a minimally invasive approach to ventral skull base lesions. Methodology and Materials this is a prospective observational study of group of 30 patients with ventral skull base lesions that were managed via endoscopic endonasal approaches. All patients’ clinical data, radiographic evaluations, procedural detail, complications, and follow-up data were recorded and analyzed. Results The mean age of patients was 50.8 years (range: 18-74 years), with a male:female ration of 1:1.72. The most commonly encountered pathological entities in the cohort was meningiomas (43.3%), pituitary adenomas (23.3%). and craniopharyngiomas (13.3%). Postoperative CSF leak was observed in 6.6% of cases and was managed successfully. There were no cases with postoperative infection in the cohort. Other procedure-related complications include transient diabetes insipidus (10%), pneumocephaly (3.3%), Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (3.3%). Gross total resection was achieved in 93.3% of cases. Improvement of preoperative symptoms was recorded in 89.2% of cases. The mean follow-up duration was 17.8 ± 2.7 months. Conclusion EEAs provide direct access and better visualization to the ventral skull base without brain retraction and with minimal neurovascular manipulation, leading to less morbidity and mortality. EEA can be considered a feasible, safe, and effective tool on the armamentarium of skull base surgery. EEAs should not be considered as a replacement to the traditional transcranial approaches; rather. EEAs are deemed as a complementary route and a potential alternative to conventional skull base surgery in select cases.