Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign adrenal neoplasms.
BACKGROUND
Since first reported in 1992, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been used to remove a wide variety of adrenal neoplasms. Indications for use of this technique have not been clearly defined, nor has it been demonstrated to be more cost effective than open adrenalectomy.


METHODS
A retrospective comparison was made of 19 consecutive laparoscopic and open adrenalectomies performed in patients with benign adrenal neoplasms in a tertiary-care university teaching hospital over a 3-year period.


RESULTS
The two groups were well matched for side of tumor and age. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was completed in 11 of 12 patients in whom it was attempted. The laparoscopic group had significantly smaller tumor size; shorter operative time, postoperative ileus, and postoperative stay; and decreased operative blood loss and postoperative narcotic requirement. There were no significant differences between groups for operating room or hospital charges.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is cost effective and should be the preferred treatment for patients with small benign adrenal neoplasms.
Soares
R L
RL
Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University, Providence RI 02903, USA.
Monchik
J
J
Migliori
S J
SJ
Amaral
J F
JF
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D016896:Treatment Outcome