Background & objective: Sellar region tumors are common intracranial tumor. This study was designed to investigate the methods of the removal of tumors in sellar region by pterional approach.
Methods: A total of 119 cases with sellar region tumors were performed operation. Before the operation, the relationships between the tumors and their periphery were determined according to CT, MR and the cerebral angiography and then the tumors were removed by pterional approach microsurgery in 4 different spaces.
Results: The number of the patients treated with total, subtotal, and partial resection were 72, 36, and 11, respectively; with 85 cases significantly improved, 24 getting better, 8 without changes and 2 dead. Follow-up half a year, 92 cases were survival in the half a year of follow-up, in which 61 cases were able to work with normal life, 15 could do light work, 9 could take care of themselves but 6 patients were disabled, and 1 died of heart disease.
Conclusion: Pterional approach can be used to remove many kinds of tumors in sellar region and with better exploration, therefore, increase the total removal and cure rate of such tumors.