Treatment of alternated water-electrolyte balance and endocrine status after removal of craniopharyngioma in adults

Background Water-electrolyte disturbance and endocrine alterations are common complications of adult patients with craniopharygioma in the postoperative period and may affect their recovery and prognosis. Some of these complications even lead to death. Appropriate remedy based upon the status of water-electrolyte balance and the endocrine system is essential to good therapeutic results of adult patients with craniopharyngioma. Methods The alterations in water-electrolyte balance （117 patients） and endocrine status （42） of adult patients with craniopharyngioma after surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Results Most patients with craniopharyngioma experienced postoperative water-electrolyte disturbances and hypotonic dehydration. Moreover, the incidences of hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocorticism were relatively high. Conclusion It is critical to deal with dehydration and endocrine disorders for a sound outcome of craniopharyngioma surgery.