Intraoperative gas cisternography and gas dissection in the operative treatment of pituitary tumors. A methodological description.

We have given a methodological description of gas dissection and gas cisternography used during transsphenoidal surgery. 200 consecutive patients with pituitary adenomas or craniopharyngeomas have been operated according to Cushing- Guiot -Hardy's procedure. 68 patients had suprasellar expansions in which gas dissection was used. The operative procedure with technical equipment and staff requirement is reported as well as the combined neurosurgical and neuroradiological techniques.