Author: * Obande JO*, Dawang YD*, Otorkpa EJ*, Olomo AS*, Lemchi SU.
Abstract
Background: The access to endoscopic pituitary surgery should be based on established and consistent anatomic landmarks rather than on personal experience due to the latter’s high subjectivity. Many anatomic landmarks exist to guide microscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery but do not always give the desired consistency. These landmarks are also useful in the endoscopic approach. Hence, we aimed to utilize the proposed LUTH Line guide described primarily for the microscopic approach, to identify and gain access to the sella towards a successful endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.
Materials and Methods: All 5 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery between April, 2023 and October, 2023 were prospectively planned to have the LUTH Line utilized as the means of performing anterior sphenoidotomy. The LUTH Line was defined operatively as described by the originating authors.
Results: The LUTH Line was identified in all the cases undertaken. It was found to be easy to localize and utilizing it, as well, in combination with other useful landmarks made anterior sphenoidotomy safe and thereby, aided endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery success.
Conclusion: Our study found localization of the LUTH Line in performing anterior sphenoidotomy to be easy and useful in all the patients scheduled for endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery at our Centre. Additionally, it was also consistently seen. There is a need for increased uptake of this safe and useful anatomic landmark during this procedure.
Keywords: LUTH Line, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, hypophysectomy, anterior sphenoidotomy.