Introduction In pituitary adenomas (PAs), the use of postoperative steroid supplementation remains controversial, as it reduces peritumoral edema and sinonasal complaints but disrupts the detection of adrenal insufficiency (AI). It is unclear whether postoperative cortisol supplementation has a measurable effect on improving outcomes in patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). The objective of the study was to evaluate a postoperative steroid treatment protocol on various surgical outcomes in patients with PA undergoing ETS. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients undergoing ETS from 2005 to 2020 for PA at a single tertiary academic center. Patients were divided into two groups: those managed by a routine postoperative glucocorticoid supplementation protocol (steroid protocol) and those who received supplementation based on postoperative cortisol laboratory assessment (steroid sparing protocol). Management was otherwise the same between groups. Evaluation of length of stay (LOS), sinonasal outcomes, 30-day readmission, and perioperative complications, including AI, were performed. Results Among 535 patients, 21% ( n = 111) received postoperative steroids, while the remainder ( n = 424) did not. There were no differences in mean LOS (3 vs. 3 days, p = 0.72), sinonasal complaints (27 vs. 19%, p = 0.12), 30-day readmission (5% vs. 5%, p = 0.44), and perioperative complications (5 vs. 5%, p = 0.79) between both the groups. A multivariate model supported that both groups were comparable in predicting LOS, 30-day readmission, and complications. No reduction in readmission for AI was seen. Conclusion Routine administration of postoperative glucocorticoids did not significantly improve patient outcomes in patients with PA who underwent ETS.
Keywords: adenoma; adrenal crisis; adrenal insufficiency; cortisol; hydrocortisone; hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; outcome; pituitary; tumor.
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