title: Repeat operations in pediatric patients with recurrent craniopharyngiomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Controversy continues over the optimal management of recurrent craniopharyngiomas. Our strategy for approaching repeatedly recurrent craniopharyngiomas in pediatric patients has been to decompress vital structures and relieve the symptoms as early as possible. The purpose of this study was to present our experiences of repeatedly recurrent craniopharyngiomas and the pattern of failure associated with treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted on 7 pediatric patients who underwent resection >2 times in a single institution between 1990 and 2004. Resections were performed 3-8 times for each patient. Variables including tumor size, consistency and location, extent of resection, adjuvant therapy and morbidity were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-two operations were performed in 7 pediatric patients. Total resection was not achieved by the third surgery and thereafter, and the interval between each surgery became shorter. Appetite disorders, neurocognitive disorders and behavioral disorders occurred following repeat surgeries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeat operations are associated with a high failure rate of tumor control, even though they can help relieve neurologic symptoms. It is suggested that the number of repeat operations should be limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Kwan-Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Sin-Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jeun
authors.forename: Yong-Kil
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome