The conversational position in endoscopic pituitary surgery

Br J Neurosurg. 2018 Feb;32(1):44-46. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2017.1406058. Epub 2017 Dec 4.

Abstract

We describe a novel patient position for endoscopic transphenoidal surgery - the 'conversational position'. This position is a safe and effective alternative to the standard supine position, incorporating a semi-sitting position with the additional innovation of achieving a 'conversational position' by flexing the neck and turning the patient's head turned to face the surgeon. The 'conversational' position offers improvements in the surgical approach to sellar region, addressing specific intraoperative challenges such as maintaining a bloodless operative field, and enabling more intuitive and ergonomic surgical workflow.

Keywords: Endoscopy; pituitary surgery; sellar mass; trans-sphenoidal surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopy / methods*
  • Ergonomics
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Patient Positioning / methods*
  • Pituitary Gland / surgery*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sphenoid Bone / surgery
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Supine Position
  • Workflow