Transsphenoidal surgery has been the gold standard for intra- and suprasellar lesions as well as some extrasellar pathologies for more than 40 years. This approach, with proper surgical expertise, is very safe with a low morbidity and mortality rate. However, as with every surgical treatment, complications can occur and may result in serious consequences for the patient. The goal of this article is to focus on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas after transsphenoidal surgery and discuss possible risk factors and treatment options, including less common procedures in persistent CSF fistulas.
Transsphenoidal surgery has been the gold standard for intra- and suprasellar lesions as well as some extrasellar pathologies for more than 40 years. This approach, with proper surgical expertise, is very safe with a low morbidity and mortality rate. However, as with every surgical treatment, complications can occur and may result in serious consequences for the patient. The goal of this article is to focus on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas after transsphenoidal surgery and discuss possible risk factors and treatment options, including less common procedures in persistent CSF fistulas.