How to take good care of patients with pituitary tumors

For the treatment of pituitary tumors, postoperative care is also very important. This requires patients and their families to master some common sense of postoperative care, observe and prevent the occurrence of various complications, follow the doctor's orders to measure body temperature, pay attention to postoperative urine conditions and whether there are other emergencies. So, how can patients with pituitary tumors be well cared for? Let's take a look.

1. If the patient feels discomfort in the throat

Check whether the gauze has fallen out. If it has fallen out from the posterior nasal cavity, cut off the fallen part with scissors. Do not pull it outward.

2. Pay attention to temperature observation and care

The surgical site of pituitary tumor is close to the hypothalamic temperature regulation center. Central hyperthermia reaction may occur after injury, resulting in persistent high fever, with body temperature mostly above 39-40℃. Physical cooling or drug cooling are not effective. The best cooling method is hibernation hypothermia therapy. Attention should be paid to its care: A. Replenish energy and water; B. Monitor vital signs to prevent complications; C. Pay attention to oxygen inhalation to avoid cerebral hypoxia or cerebral edema, and give 20% mannitol for dehydration when necessary; D. Perform blood gas analysis to prevent water and electrolyte disorders.

3. Pay attention to changes in urine volume after surgery

Accurately record the 24-hour intake and output, pay attention to the occurrence of diabetes insipidus, and provide accurate basis for treatment and medication. If the postoperative urine volume exceeds 3000-4000mL per day, or exceeds 150mL per hour, and the urine specific gravity is <1.010, diabetes insipidus should be considered. In the case of diabetes insipidus, pay attention to the changes in water and electrolytes. If irritability and poor spirits occur, electrolyte disorders should be considered and reported to the doctor in time for treatment.

4. Pay attention to whether there is cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea

When cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurs, the patient should be placed in a semi-sitting position to avoid factors that may increase intracranial pressure, such as avoiding sneezing, coughing and expectoration, and maintaining smooth bowel and urination. Provide good daily care to meet the patient's daily needs.

Warm reminder: Most patients will not have recurrence after complete tumor resection, but there are still some cases where the tumor grows again, and the growth site is generally in the original tumor site. Generally, the patient should be reexamined 1-2 times in the first year after surgery. If there are no clinical symptoms and imaging abnormalities, the number of reexaminations will gradually decrease. If clinical discomfort symptoms occur or the original symptoms worsen, a timely reexamination should be conducted. Problems can be found in time through reexamination and timely treatment can be given.