Objectives: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid(Po-CSF) leak is still a challenging complication of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. However data describing the predictive factors of po-CSF leak in pure pituitary adenomas is lacking. Aim of this study is to determine the risk factors of Po-CSF leak in a pituitary adenoma group operated via pure transsellar endoscopic approach.
Design: This is a retrospective cohort study.
Setting: A single-center academic hospital.
Participants: Patients operated for a pituitary adenoma between 2015-2021 and followed up until June-2022 were included.
Main Outcome Measures: Demographics, comorbidities, imaging and outcome were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors of Po-CSF leak.
Results: Of the total 170-patients with a mean age of 47.5±13.8(min:15-max:80), 11(6.5%) had Po-CSF leak. Univariate analysis revealed age, diabetes mellitus(DM) and tumor volume as predictors of Po-CSF leak. According to ROC analysis. 7.5cm3 of tumor volume was found to be a good cut-off value with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 75%. Hence; multivariable logistic regression model adjusted by age showed that a tumor volume of>7.5cm3 (OR:22.9; 95 % CI:3.8-135.9, p=0.001) and DM (OR:8.9; 95%CI:1.7-46.5; p=0.010) are strong independent risk factors of Po-CSF leak in pure endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery.
Conclusion: Besides younger age and DM, a cut-off value for tumor volume>7.5cm3 is the most remarkable risk factor for Po-CSF leak in pure endoscopic pituitary surgery. These patients should carefully be assessed preoperatively and potential preemptive surgical strategies should be taken into consideration in order to avoid complications.