title: A prospective qualitative study on patients' perceptions of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with pituitary tumours, but no study has explored patients' perceptions before and after this surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors in this study aim to explore patients' perceptions on endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using qualitative research methodology, two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants who were adults aged > 18 undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for the resection of a pituitary tumour between December 2008 and June 2011. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. The resulting data was analyzed using a modified thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven overarching themes were identified: (1) Patients had a positive surgical experience; (2) patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure; (3) patients were initially surprised that neurosurgery could be performed endonasally; (4) patients expected a cure and to feel better after the surgery; (5) many patients feared that something might go wrong during the surgery; (6) patients were psychologically prepared for the surgery; (7) most patients reported receiving adequate pre-op and post-op information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first qualitative study reporting on patients' perceptions before and after an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, which is increasingly used as a standard surgical approach for patients with pituitary tumours. Patients report a positive perception and general satisfaction with the endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical experience. However, there is still room for improvement in post-surgical care. Overall, patients' perceptions can help improve the delivery of comprehensive care to future patients undergoing pituitary tumour surgery.
authors: Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. iedem@qmed.ca
authors: Idara J
authors: IJ
authors: Edem
authors: Beverly
authors: B
authors: Banton
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Bernstein
authors: Shelly
authors: S
authors: Lwu
authors: Allan
authors: A
authors: Vescan
authors: Fred
authors: F
authors: Gentilli
authors: Gelareh
authors: G
authors: Zadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult