Abstract: Objective To explore the application value of endoscopic and microscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas. 
 Methods Collected clinical data of 122 patients with pituitary adenomas, 61 of whom underwent endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal resection(the endoscopic group), and 61 of whom underwent microscopic transnasal transsphenoidal resection(the microscopic group). The perioperative indicators, relevant hormones ［human growth hormone (HGH), thyrotropin (TSH), prolactin (PRL)］, visual function ［visual field index (VFI), pattern standard deviation (PSD)］, olfactory function (olfactory recognition threshold), stress response ［angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), norepinephrine (NE), renin (R)］, and complications were compared between two groups. 
 Results The length of hospitalization in the endoscopic group was shorter than that in the microscopic group, and the intraoperative blood loss was less than that in the microscopic group (P＜0.05). The levels of serum AngⅡ, NE, and R in both groups showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, with a smaller change in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group, and the differences in interaction between groups, time oints and time points between groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The levels of PRL, TSH, and HGH in both groups showed a decreasing trend, which were lower in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group, and the differences in interaction between groups, time points and time points between groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The PSD in both groups showed a decreasing trend, and the olfactory recognition threshold showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing.The VFI showed an increasing trend, and the PSD and olfactory recognition threshold in the endoscopic group were lower than those in the microscopic group, while the VFI was higher; the differences in the interaction between groups, time points and time points between groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The difference in the incidence of complications between two groups was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).
 Conclusion Compared with microscopy, endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach has the advantages of minimal surgical trauma and rapid postoperative recovery, which helps to promote the recovery of pituitary function and visual function, reduce the impact on olfactory function, and has certain safety. 

Key words: pituitary neoplasms, endoscopy, microscopy