The history of trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumours

Abstract

The development of pituitary surgery has evolved based on a progressive understanding of the pathophysiology of these tumours over the past 100 years. This has been underpinned by improvements in radiological imaging of the pituitary region and the development of immunohistochemistry techniques and more recently molecular genetics. Coupled with improvements in technology, surgical instrumentation and lighting, the operations have evolved and progressively become more refined since first undertaken in the modern era by Hermann Schloffer at the University of Innsbruck. There have been innumerable contributors in this process, of which the major participants will be highlighted in this review.