Introduction to Pituitary Surgery: The Patient Experience
Andrew S. Little, MD
Co-Director of the Barrow Interdisciplinary Skull Base Team Acute Care Director at the Barrow Neurological Institute
Assistant Director of the Barrow Pituitary Center
Patient Persepctive
• Anxiety• Fear of Unknown• Pain• Complications• Will I be the same person?• “Brain Surgery”
Neurosurgeons:Back Then
Neurosurgeons:Back Then
Neurosurgeons:Now
DiagnosisPre-op TestingEvaluation
SurgeryRecovery
Medical Team
Life
Preoperative Testing
• Determine the medical risks of surgery– Heart– Lungs– Blood clotting– Kidneys– Blood levels
Preoperative Testing
DiagnosisPre-op TestingEvaluation
Surgery
Medical Team
Day of Surgery
• Preoperative holding– Nurse starts iv
• Meet the surgical team– Nurses– Scrub – Anesthesiologist “The Gas
Passer”– Surgeons
Day of Surgery
• Hugs & Kisses• Light sedation
– “Intravenous margarita”– Most patients don’t
remember anything after this
Surgical Suite
Endoscopic Instrumentation
Kassam/Snyderman set
Technical Advancements:Dual Function Instruments
Irrigating Drill Tissue Debrider
Technical Advancements: Dual Function Instruments
Adjustable Endoscope
Technical Advancements: Dual Function Instruments
Ultrasonic Aspirator
High-Definition Video Equipment
High Definition Low Definition
DiagnosisPre-op TestingEvaluation
SurgeryRecovery
Medical Team
Recovery
Recovery
DiagnosisPre-op TestingEvaluation
SurgeryRecovery
Medical Team
Life
Quality of LifeSocial + physical + emotional well being
Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory
Nose Symptoms
Nasal Quality of Life:Preliminary Data (n = 60)
Nasal
General
FAQs
• How long will it take me to recover?– Every patient is different– Recovery is a process, not an endpoint– 1-2 months before you feel back to normal
• When can I go back to work?– 2-4 weeks, depending on demands of job– Tell your employer you need one month off
FAQs
• When can I blow my nose?– 4-6 weeks
• When can I drive?– Off narcotics– Vision improved
• When can I swim?– 4-6 weeks
• When can I fly?– Anytime
A Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Barrow Neurological Institute
Corcept
Ipsen
KARL STORZ Endoskope
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