Transnasal hypophysectomy.

A transnasal trans-sphenoidal surgical approach to the pituitary gland is described. The operative and post-operative experiences with the use of this technique on 21 patients with hormone-dependent malignant disease are reported. In 2 patients the procedure was abandoned because of intrasellar haemorrhage and in 1 an empty sella was found. Fifteen patients developed diabetes insipidus and 1 patient died in the postoperative period.