Outcomes in surgical management of microprolactinomas: an international multi-institutional series

BackgroundProlactinomas represent the most common pituitary adenoma subtype, the majority of which are microprolactinomas. Dopamine agonists (DAs) remain the first-line intervention for microprolactinomas, however, many patients either cannot tolerate DAs or require lifelong therapy to maintain hormonal control. As endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) continues to revolutionize the surgical management of sellar lesions, we sought to reassess the feasibility and efficacy of early surgical resection for microprolactinoma.MethodsRetrospective chart review from 2010 to 2021 of adults who underwent EES for microprolactinoma was performed across three medical centers. Surgical failure was defined as a need to restart DAs, a serum prolactin level greater than 30ng/mL at last follow-up, tumor recurrence, or a need for reoperation.ResultsA total of 56 patients were identified with a mean age of 32.9 years and an average of 26.4 months of follow-up. The majority had been on DAs preoperatively (98.2%). The most common surgical indications were DA intolerance (73.2%), tumor unresponsiveness (19.6%), and desire for pregnancy (7.1%). Gross total resection was achieved in 51 (91.1%) cases. The overall surgical remission rate was approximately 70% with failures observed in 17 (30.4%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression identified subtotal resection as the only independent predictor of surgical failure (p = 0.038*). The most common postoperative complication was transient arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D) (21.4%). There were no cases of permanent AVP-D, new visual deficits, or cerebrospinal fluid leak.ConclusionsWith a surgical remission rate of nearly 70%, EES represents a safe and viable alternative strategy to long-term DA treatment for microprolactinomas.