SummaryAimsTo describe the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histological features and to determine the outcome of all patients with pituitary tumours treated surgically at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (ILACH) in Durban over a 5‐year period.Research designRetrospective chart review from 2008 to 2012. Clinical, biochemical and radiological data were collected before and 1 year after surgery. Histopathology findings and perioperative complications were recorded.ResultsSeventy patients were included (age 44·8 ± 14·9 years, 55·7% female). Headache (84·1%) and visual disturbances (78·3%) were the predominant presenting symptoms (84·1% and 78·3%). Most tumours were macroadenomas (97·1%). Trans‐sphenoidal surgery was employed in the majority (90%). A single procedure was required in 55·7% patients, two procedures in 30% and up to six in others. Complete resection was achieved in only nine patients (12·8%), residual tumour postsurgery was found in 48 (68·6%), and no change in tumour size was found in 13 (18·6%) patients. Additional medical therapy was used in 22 (31·4%) and radiotherapy in 13 (18·6%). On biopsy, the most common pathology was nonfunctional adenoma in 33 (47·1%); 29 (41·4%) were secretory tumours, and 8 (11·4%) were craniopharyngiomas. Overall mortality was 4·3%. The commonest surgical complication was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (10%; n = 7). New postsurgical pituitary hypofunction occurred in 50 (71·4%) patients. The outcome at 1 year was similar to that on discharge.ConclusionsPatients presenting to IALCH had large tumours, and complete resection was achieved in a minority. There was a low overall mortality but high rate of postsurgical pituitary hypofunction.