title: Effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
abstract: A laparoscopic approach was used to remove the adrenal gland in 7 patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (Conn's disease), 2 with corticosteroid-producing adenoma (pituitary-independent Cushing's syndrome) and 2 with pheochromocytoma. The affected gland was on the right side in 3 patients and on the left side in 8. Mean operative time was 3 hours 10 minutes (range 140 to 370 minutes). The operation was uneventful in all patients and blood transfusions were never required. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 2.9 +/- 0.8 days (standard error). Only minimal doses of analgesics were used postoperatively. All patients returned to work within 10 days postoperatively (mean 8.4 +/- 1.2 days). Two months postoperatively no patient had clinical, biochemical or hormonal evidence of recurrent or persistent disease. We conclude that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective, minimally invasive approach for patients with benign adrenal neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guazzoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montorsi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rigatti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cornaggia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanzi
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pontiroli
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery; D012449:Safety