Initial experience of laparoscopic resection of adrenal tumours.
OBJECTIVE
To report our initial experience with laparoscopic resection of adrenal masses.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, France.


METHODS
Five consecutive patients who required adrenalectomy between May 1993 and January 1994.


METHODS
Adrenalectomy through four trocars with the patient semisupine and in a slight reverse Trendelenburg position.


METHODS
Morbidity and mortality.


RESULTS
Three left and two right adrenal glands were removed in a median time of 190 minutes. The patients were all women, median age 65 years (range 57 to 71). The aetiology included non-functioning adenomas (n = 2), primary aldosteronism, Cushing's adenoma, and a metastasis from a cancer of the bladder. The median tumour size was 5.5 cm (range 3 to 9). In one patient the procedure was converted to an open operation because exposure of the gland was inadequate. The median postoperative stay was 6 days (range 4-12).


CONCLUSIONS
Our initial experience supports that from other centres in that we found that the laparoscopic approach is suitable for resection of adrenal masses.
Casaccia
M
M
Department of Digestive Surgery, Video-Surgery and Hepatic Transplantation, St Roch Hospital, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France.
Toouli
J
J
Fabiani
P
P
Mouiel
J
J
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies