Pseudocapsular resection in elderly patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma

OBJECTIVE The safety of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenoma in elderly populations is becoming a new topic in our aging society. However, previous studies did not focus on the surgical procedures in elderly patients. We attempted to clarify the safety of TSS and the influence of pseudocapsular resection in elderly patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA). METHODS A total of 284 patients undergoing initial TSS for NFPA were categorized into two groups as follows: 1) Elderly group (n = 69; age ≥ 70 years); and 2) Younger group (n = 215; age < 70 years). Furthermore, all patients were newly divided into the two following categories: 1) Resected group (n = 121, with total pseudocapsule resection); and 2) Non-Resected group (n = 163, without total pseudocapsule resection). The main outcome measure was the incidence of perioperative complications and the rate of severe growth hormone deficiency (sGHD) after TSS. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the rates of perioperative complication between the Elderly and Younger groups. Furthermore, pseudocapsular resection did not increase the surgical risks in either group. On the other hand, sGHD only showed a significant improvement in the Younger group. The only factor predicting the new development of sGHD following TSS was an older age, not pseudocapsule resection. CONCLUSIONS Aging does not increase the perioperative complications of TSS for NFPA; however, aging has a negative influence on the postoperative function of GH secretion. In contrast, pseudocapsular resection does not have any negative influence on the perioperative complications or postoperative function of GH secretion, even in elderly patients, based on the authors' experience and surgical technique.