Abstract: To explore the effect of a transnasal endoscopic approach for anterior skull base and sella region tumors. MethodsClinical data of 16 patients with anterior skull base tumors from November 2004 to June 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. All of them received transnasal endoscopic surgeries and one of them underwent evisceration of the orbit. All the operations were performed under general anesthesia. There were 6 pituitary adenomas, 5 inverted papilloma，1 squamous cell carcinoma， 1 chordoma, 1 primitive neuroectodemal tumor, 1 olfactory neuroblastoma, and 1 ossifying fibroma. The followup period ranged from 3 months to 4 years. ResultsTumors were totally removed in 15 cases and subtotally removed in 1 case. Cerebrospinal leakage appeared after the operations and was cured by two operations in 1 case. There was no intracranial hemorrhage, intracranial infection or death in any patient. ConclusionAn endonasal endoscopic approach can expose and completely remove anterior skull base and sella region tumors in appropriate cases and can identify the deep tissues. Reconstruction of the skull base and dural treatment is not necessary in most cases. Operators must have adequate anatomic knowledge, surgical technique and experiences as well as advanced surgical apparatuses.