title: [Experiences with adrenalectomy in 1997. Apropos of 247 cases. A multicenter prospective study of the French-speaking Association of Endocrine Surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study conducted by the AFCE was to analyze the indications, approach and results of all adrenalectomies performed during the year 1997 in 17 centers, active or specialized in endocrine surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 1997, adrenalectomy was performed in 247 patients, 149 men and 98 women (mean age: 51 years). The lesion was located in the right side in 166 patients, in the left side in 99, in both sides in 28 patients and ectopic in four patients. Pheochromocytomas (n = 61), Conn adenomas (n = 50) and Cushing syndrome lesions (n = 48) were the most frequent in this series. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 172 patients (70%) through a transperitoneal approach in all cases except one, and by 'open' surgery in 75 patients (30%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients operated on by the laparoscopic approach, the mean duration of surgery was 132 min, and there were peroperative complications in 15 patients (8.7%), mainly hemorrhages. Conversion rate into laparotomy was 7%. In the postoperative course, there were three reoperations and two deaths, an early one in a patient reoperated for bleeding and a very late one in relation with necrotising acute pancreatitis. Mean duration of hospitalization was 5.8 d. Mean tumoral size was 49 mm. In patients operated on by 'open' surgery, the mean duration of surgery was 148 min. There was a postoperative complication in eight patients (10.6%), mostly hemorrhages, and two intraoperative deaths in relation with uncontrollable bleeding. Mean duration of hospitalization was 11 d. Mean tumoral size was 72 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now indicated for the majority of adrenal tumors. Several complications observed in this series were related to the learning curve in several centers. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the 'gold standard' in uni- or bilateral benign tumors no larger than 6 or 7 cm. 'Open' surgery is indicated in malignant tumors, especially in adreno-cortical carcinomas, and in all large tumors.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie, hôpital de l'Antiquaille, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mutter
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peix
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chapuis
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Proye
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cougard
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marescaux
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000462:Algeria; D001530:Belgium; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002423:Cause of Death; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007813:Laparotomy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors