title: Contemporary surgical management of pheochromocytoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The availability of laparoscopic adrenalectomy led us to review our experience and management of adrenal and extraadrenal pheochromocytoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients undergoing pheochromocytoma resection from January 1997 to August 2001 were categorized as open, laparoscopic, or laparoscopic assisted depending on the surgical approach. Hospital records were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the groups in patient age, weight or preoperative blockade. Operative times for open, laparoscopic, and laparoscopic assisted adrenalectomies were 202, 218, and 260 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 562 cc, 187 cc, and 925 cc. The average hospital length of stay was 6.2, 3.0, and 5.8 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic removal resulted in longer operative times than open, but less operative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The laparoscopic assisted approach did not save time nor did it lead to earlier discharge. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was comparable to the open approach, and is preferential in tumors less than 6 cm. An open approach remains our choice for larger or extraadrenal tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery, Galter Pavilion 10-105, Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bentrem
authors.forename: Sam G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.forename: Kenric M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelos
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies