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: Now
Diagnosis Pre-op Testing Evaluation Surgery Recovery Medical Team Life
Preoperative Testing Determine the medical risks of surgery –Heart –Lungs –Blood clotting –Kidneys –Blood levels
Preoperative Testing
Diagnosis Pre-op Testing Evaluation 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 DrillTissue Debrider
Technical Advancements: Dual Function Instruments Adjustable Endoscope
Technical Advancements: Dual Function Instruments Ultrasonic Aspirator
High-Definition Video Equipment
High DefinitionLow Definition
Diagnosis Pre-op Testing Evaluation Surgery Recovery Medical Team
Recovery
Diagnosis Pre-op Testing Evaluation Surgery Recovery Medical Team Life
Quality of Life Social + 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