Recovery Time After Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery
Written by: Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD
Last Updated: October 21, 2024
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What To Expect After Surgery
Waiting during surgery can be nerve-wracking for family members. Rest assured, your loved one’s neurosurgeon and the operative team are mindful of keeping you informed.
The care team will provide updates when they can, such as when the tumor has been successfully removed or when the surgery is over. It’s crucial to keep your mobile phone accessible during this time.
After surgery, the patient is moved to the recovery unit for close monitoring of vital signs, neurologic status, and hormone levels. Once stable, they will be transferred to the intensive care unit or a regular hospital ward.
In some cases, nasal packing may be used, and antibiotics might be administered. Hospital stays are typically short, lasting 1 to 2 days due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
Upon discharge, it’s vital to follow the surgeon's postoperative instructions. Regular follow-up appointments with your neurosurgeon and ear, nose, and throat specialist are important for monitoring during the recovery period.
What Are the After Effects of Transsphenoidal Surgery?
- Nasal congestion: Patients may experience temporary nasal congestion, making breathing through the nose difficult immediately after surgery.
- Nasal crusts: Excess mucus accumulation can lead to the formation of nasal crusts, which may persist for weeks to months but eventually resolve.
- Blood-tinged nasal drainage: This is a common postoperative symptom and typically resolves naturally.
- Headaches: Postoperative headaches can occur but can be effectively managed with pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Temporary loss of smell: The sense of smell may be temporarily affected, particularly if the tumor is close to the pituitary gland.
- Sleep disturbances: Sleep may be disrupted during the recovery period as many of the body’s natural cycles begin to return to a new baseline after a period of abnormal pituitary hormonal activity.
- Fatigue: As a normal side effect of surgery, patients may experience noticeable and exaggerated fatigue during recovery.
- Weight changes: Depending on the hormonal impact of the procedure, some individuals may experience weight loss after pituitary tumor surgery, though this may happen gradually over time.
What To Avoid After Transsphenoidal Surgery?
Avoid certain activities to support a smooth recovery. High-intensity physical activities should be avoided for several weeks after the procedure.
Do not blow your nose, use straws, or bend over at the waist. Heavy lifting should be avoided until cleared by your surgeon.
Avoid smoking and nicotine products as they can delay healing. Stay hydrated and consume foods high in fiber to avoid constipation.
When in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your medical team with questions after your procedure.
Why should you have your surgery with Dr. Cohen?
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- 7,000+ specialized surgeries performed by your chosen surgeon
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- Extensive experience = higher success rate and quicker recovery times
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How Long Does It Take to Recover?
Recovery time varies from person to person and depends on the surgery's complexity and the individual's health.
Tumor size and invasiveness also play a role in recovery success. Smaller tumors tend to have more favorable outcomes.
Most patients can resume working, depending on their occupation, within 4-6 weeks after surgery. Discuss the appropriate time to return to work with your physician.
In cases of hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas, the reported rate of surgical treatment success, in terms of achieving hormone normalization, stands at approximately 70%.
The prognosis for those with a pituitary adenoma is excellent, with a 97% 5-year survival rate.
For additional support, consider joining patient support groups or verified online forums to speak with other patients with similar experiences. Explore the resources below for more information.
Key Takeaways
- Transsphenoidal surgery is a minimally invasive technique for reaching certain tumors through the nasal passages.
- The success rate of surgery is generally high, but outcomes can vary depending on the exact type of tumor and the extent of resection.
- Symptoms like nasal congestion, minor bleeding, and nausea are common but usually manageable.
