Surgical Volume
For over a decade Dr. Kelly and Kassam have been working in parallel on the west and east coasts respectively. They individually have an experience of over a 1,000 endonasal cases and now have a combined experience of over 2000 such cases. Given their collective experience and collaborative approach now at Saint John’s Health Center, they can offer all of the minimally invasive 360 degree approaches (microscopic and endoscopic) as well as the traditional craniotomy approaches when indicated. Thus, they can design an individualized patient approach based on one’s anatomy and specific problem. Learn more >>
Surgical Experience
Drs. Kassam and Kelly have helped establish several critical breakthroughs in endonasal surgery. They were among the first in the world to undertake a variety of procedures through the nose and have added significantly to our understanding of the technical and anatomic aspects, as well as, the outcomes (risks, benefits and limits) of the EEA. View all publications >>
Technical and Anatomical Contributions
1. Provided a systematic classification of EEAs to the skull base and brain. 1 2 3
2. Defined critical anatomic landmarks in endonasal skull base surgery. 4
3.Described the technique to remove skull base tumors such as Schwannoma’s in Meckle’s Cave using the EEA. 5
4.Described and performed the first pituitary transposition (moving the pituitary gland and then returning it to its normal position) for safely removing brain tumors. 6
5. Reached and treated disorders of the upper spine and spinal cord through the nose. 7 8
6. Removed of a jugular foramen tumor (Glomus Jugulare) using the EEA. 9
7. Application of the EEA for a newborn. 10
8. Partnered with Surgeons from Argentina to describe a consistent way to repair defects following EEA using vascularized tissue. 11
9. Repaired an aneurysm through the nose. 12 13
10. Repaired a skull base arterial venous malformation through the nose in a child. 14
12. Developed instrumentation for endonasal surgery. 15
Selected Key Contrbutions to Understand Outcomes (risks, benefits and limits)
1. Define success rates, complications and patient impressions for endonasal removal of pituitary adenomas, midline meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas and chordomas. 17 18 19 20 21 22
2. Define rates of pituitary hormonal recovery and damage after endonasal tumor removal. 23 24
3. Describe a new classification and outcomes for Craniopharyngiomas treated via EEA. 25 26
4. Directly compare minimally invasive approaches: endonasal versus “eyebrow” keyhole craniotomy removal of meningiomas and craniopharyngiomas.
5. Reported one of the largest collective series for chordomas operated upon using the endonasal approach. 28 29
6. Define grading systems and repair solutions for skull base defects and cerebrospinal fluid leak. 30
7. Described the use of variety of vascularized reconstruction techniques and outcomes following endonasal surgery. 31 32 33 34
8. Describe one of largest reported series of expanded approaches in adults and children. 35