Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A review of 30 initial cases.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a good option for removal of the adrenal gland that is becoming preferred over the conventional open technique.


METHODS
We reviewed the initial 30 laparoscopic adrenalectomies (in 27 patients) that were performed at our institution from 1995 to 1998. We used the lateral decubitus transperitoneal approach in 26 cases and the retroperitoneal approach in only one case. The indications for adrenalectomy were Conn's adenoma in eight patients, pheochromocytoma in six, Cushing's syndrome in five, nonfunctional adenomas in seven, and metastasis in one case.


RESULTS
Only two patients (7%) were converted to laparotomy. Operating time ranged from 75 to 240 min. Average adrenal gland size was 6.1 cm (range, 4-9 cm). There was no mortality, and morbidity occurred in only two patients (8%)-one case of self-limited gastrointestinal bleeding and one case of hypercapnia and subcutaneous emphysema (in the only patient operated by the retroperitonal approach). Mean hospital stay was 3 days (range, 1-6).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and useful procedure for nearly all adrenal pathologies. Lateral decubitus transperitoneal approach is the procedure of choice in most cases.
Pujol
J
J
Department of Surgery, Ciudad Sanitaria y Universitaria de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, C/Feixa Llarga s/n; Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Viladrich
M
M
Rafecas
A
A
Lladó
L
L
García-Barrasa
A
A
Figueras
J
J
Jaurrieta
E
E
D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; 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; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome