Cerebrospinal fluid fistula after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: experience in a spanish center

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula is the most serious complication after transsphenoidal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of CSF fistula after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for tumor removal in sellar region; to discuss associated factors and methods used for sellar closure. METHOD: Retrospective study of 67 patients (73 surgeries) operated via transsphenoidal endoscopy at Hospital Vall D'Hebron and Hospital Clinic of the Universidad de Barcelona, Spain. The data collected included: age, sex, hospitalization stay, suprasellar extension of the lesion, type of tumor, evidence of intraoperative CSF fistula, complications of postoperative CSF fistula, previous surgery and radiotherapy. RESULTS: Six patients (8.2%) had postoperative CSF fistula, and their average hospitalization was 5 days longer with resulting complications: two of whom had pneumoencephalus and two with meningitis. No association was found between the data collected and postoperative CSF fistula. CONCLUSION: The rate of CSF fistula after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery from the present study is contained within the literature. Unlike other reports, no association between the variables and postoperative CSF fistula was found in this report.