The Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA) is an innovative, minimally invasive surgical procedure that enables surgeons to treat conditions in critical areas of the brain, skull base, and upper spine that were once considered too hard to reach or inoperable.
There are many benefits to EEA surgery compared to traditional, open neurosurgery.
No Incisions to Heal
- There are no incisions or disfigurement to the patient's skull or face.
- Patients with malignant tumors can start chemotherapy or radiation treatment almost immediately, without needing to wait for incisions to heal. This gives complementary therapies the chance to start working sooner.
Faster Recovery Time
- Recovery time from EEA surgery can be days instead of the weeks or months of recovery that can come with traditional open surgery.
- Patients often can leave the hospital within one or two days.
Fewer Side Effects
- With EEA, there are fewer — if any — lingering side effects than with traditional craniofacial surgery.
Reduced Risk of Neurologic Damage
- The brain does not have to be manipulated with EEA, reducing the likelihood of damage.
- Surgeons are better able to preserve important nerves that control vision and hearing.
Meet Acharya
When a Jain Guru with 1 million followers was losing his sight—and traditional surgery failed—his followers sought sight-saving endonasal brain surgery at UPMC in Pittsburgh.
