Objective:To analyze the complications of transsphenoidal operation for pituitary adenomas.Methods:Postoperative complications of 696 patients underwent transphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma between January 2001 and December 2009 in our department were retrospectively reviewed.Results:Insipidus was the most common complication after the operation with the incidence of 56.6%

hyponatremia was the second one with the incidence of 3.1%.The other significant complications were visual deterioration 0.3%

anterior pituitary insufficiency 1.6%

central nervous system injury 0.3%

ophthalmoplegia 0.6%

cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea 4.5%

carotid artery injuries 0.1%

hemorrhage or swelling of residual tumor 0.3%

meningitis 0.1%

pituitary abscess 0.1%.The case fatality rate was 0.3%.Conclusion:Better understanding of the indications for transsphenoidal surgery and familiarity with the regional anatomy should further lower the rates of death and complications.Skill surgical technique and clinical experience are also very important to improve the therapeutic efficacy.