Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Endoscopic endonasal surgery represents a minimally invasive approach that enables surgeons to access and treat various lesions located at the skull base through the nasal cavity. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes associated with the extended endoscopic endonasal technique in patients diagnosed with skull base tumors, focusing on its safety and effectiveness. 
Methods: This investigation involved 20 patients presenting with midline skull base lesions, including craniopharyngiomas with intrasellar and moderate suprasellar components, large or giant pituitary adenomas extending significantly into the suprasellar region and anterior cranial base, recurrent skull base masses, and small lesions measuring less than 3-4 cm without lateral extension beyond the optic nerves. 
Results: Notable improvements were observed in the visual field function of the patients. Statistically significant differences were identified between the preoperative and postoperative functional outcomes (p<0.001).
With 24-hour computed tomography follow-up 1 lesion (5%) had minimal resection, 8 lesions (40.0%) had subtotal resection and 11 lesions (55%) with total resection. Also, with follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 6 months duration, 1 lesion (5.0%) had minimal resection, 8 lesions (40.0%) had subtotal resection and 11 lesions (55.0%) had total resection. There was post-operative improvement, it was not significant which may be due to small sample size (P>0.005).
Conclusions: The extended endoscopic endonasal approach represents a minimally invasive, safe, and less traumatic surgical technique for managing patients with various skull base tumors.