Skull Base Surgery in Lahore

Endoscopic endonasal and keyhole approaches to tumors and lesions at the base of the skull — reaching deep, complex locations with minimal brain retraction.

What is Skull Base Surgery?

The skull base is the complex floor of the skull separating the brain from the sinuses, eye sockets, and upper neck — packed with critical nerves and blood vessels. Skull base surgery addresses tumors and lesions arising in or near this region, which historically required large, high-risk open craniotomies to reach.

Modern skull base surgery increasingly uses minimally invasive approaches — most notably the endoscopic endonasal approach, which reaches many skull base tumors through the nasal cavity without any external incision or significant brain retraction — alongside keyhole craniotomies for lesions not accessible through the nose.

Dr. Waqas Mehdi, FCPS Neurosurgeon at MidCity Hospital Lahore, applies these minimally invasive techniques to skull base tumors including pituitary adenomas and select meningiomas, choosing the approach best suited to each tumor's exact location and extent.

When Skull Base Surgery May Be Needed

!Pituitary tumor causing vision loss, headache, or hormonal disturbance

!Skull base meningioma causing symptoms or growing on serial scans

!Vision changes from a tumor pressing on the optic nerves or chiasm

!Hormonal imbalance from a tumor affecting the pituitary gland

!Persistent one-sided hearing loss or facial numbness (possible acoustic neuroma / vestibular schwannoma)

!Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the nose (rhinorrhoea)

!Craniovertebral junction abnormality requiring surgical access

Conditions Treated

Pituitary adenoma (see our dedicated Pituitary Tumor page)

Skull base meningioma (see our dedicated Meningioma page)

Craniopharyngioma

Acoustic neuroma / vestibular schwannoma

CSF leaks at the skull base

Selected craniovertebral junction lesions

Skull Base Surgical Approaches

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery

The tumor is reached through the nasal cavity using an endoscope, without any external incision or brain retraction. The standard modern approach for most pituitary tumors and select midline skull base lesions, offering faster recovery than traditional open craniotomy.

Keyhole Craniotomy

For skull base lesions not reachable through the nose, a small, precisely placed craniotomy (such as a supraorbital or retrosigmoid approach) provides access with far less brain exposure than a traditional large craniotomy.

CSF Leak Repair

Endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks at the skull base, using tissue grafts to seal the defect and prevent meningitis risk.

Multidisciplinary Planning

Complex skull base cases are planned individually, sometimes alongside ENT/rhinology colleagues for the nasal corridor portion of endonasal approaches, and endocrinology for pituitary-region tumors.

Recovery & Aftercare

Endoscopic endonasal surgery typically involves a shorter hospital stay than traditional open craniotomy for the same tumor, often 3-5 days depending on the tumor and any CSF leak repair required.

Nasal packing, if used, is usually removed within days; some nasal congestion and reduced sense of smell can occur temporarily after the endonasal approach.

Hormonal function is monitored closely after pituitary-region surgery, in coordination with endocrinology.

Follow-up MRI is standard to confirm the extent of tumor removal and monitor for any residual or recurrent disease.

Why Choose Dr. Waqas Mehdi?

FCPS Neurosurgeon applying minimally invasive endoscopic and keyhole techniques to skull base tumors
Personal review of your MRI to determine the safest, most appropriate surgical corridor
Close coordination with endocrinology for pituitary-region tumors and ENT colleagues for the endonasal approach
Academic and public-hospital experience at KEMU/Mayo Hospital alongside private practice at MidCity Hospital, Lahore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is skull base surgery always done through the nose?

No. The endoscopic endonasal approach through the nose is used for many midline skull base tumors, particularly pituitary tumors, but lesions in other locations may require a keyhole craniotomy instead. Dr. Waqas Mehdi determines the appropriate corridor based on your specific MRI findings.

What is the difference between skull base surgery and regular brain tumor surgery?

Skull base surgery specifically addresses tumors at the floor of the skull, an anatomically complex region packed with critical nerves and blood vessels, often requiring specialised approaches (endonasal or keyhole) rather than a standard craniotomy used for tumors elsewhere in the brain.

Is endoscopic endonasal surgery safe?

It is a well-established technique for pituitary and select skull base tumors, generally associated with faster recovery than traditional open surgery for suitable cases. As with any surgery, risks exist and are discussed individually based on the specific tumor and its exact location.

What happens if I have a CSF leak after skull base surgery?

A small risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak exists after endonasal skull base surgery. Modern repair techniques using tissue grafts are effective, and any leak is monitored for and addressed promptly to prevent complications such as meningitis.

Book an Appointment

Consult Dr. Waqas Mehdi at MidCity Hospital, Lahore

0300-8482624 042-35407131-6 Ext #282

MidCity Hospital, 3-A Main Jail Road, Opp. Kinnard College, Lahore

Related Services

Pituitary Tumor Meningioma Brain Tumor Surgery Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

Dr. Waqas Mehdi

MBBS, FCPS (Neurosurgery)

Asst. Professor · KEMU · Mayo Hospital

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Skull Base Surgery in Lahore Pakistan – Dr. Waqas Mehdi

Skull Base Surgery – Available for Patients Across Pakistan

Dr. Waqas Mehdi, one of the best neurosurgeons in Lahore and Pakistan, provides expert skull base surgery at MidCity Hospital and Mayo Hospital Lahore. Patients regularly travel from across Pakistan to consult him — including from:

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Dr. Waqas Mehdi (MBBS, FCPS Neurosurgery) is Asst. Professor at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and Consultant Neurosurgeon at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. His private OPD at MidCity Hospital, 3-A Main Jail Road, Lahore is open for consultations. Call 0300-8482624 or 042-35407131-6 Ext #282 to book an appointment.

Consult Dr. Waqas Mehdi Today

Pakistan's trusted neurosurgeon for brain tumor surgery, spine surgery, and all complex neurological conditions. Book your appointment at MidCity Hospital, Lahore.

Call: 0300-8482624 Book Appointment Online