title: Results of endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From March 1994 to August 1995 we performed extraperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy in 18 patients with adrenal gland tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two of these patients underwent bilateral adrenalectomy. For the extraperitoneal approach a pneumoretroperitoneum was established and three 10-mm trocars were inserted in the area of the conventional flank incision. Adrenalectomy was performed via these ports. Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy was successful in 15 patients; three patients required a conventional operation via an extraperitoneal lumbar approach because of inadequate exposure of the adrenal gland. In patients with endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy median operative time amounted to 180 min (95-330).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No postoperative complications were observed; median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (3-12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described approach produces rapid recovery and creates less postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of General and Abdominal Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heintz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walgenbach
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Junginger
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery*