Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: indications, technique, complications and follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Developments in laparoscopic surgery have rendered it an efficient tool for many complex surgical procedures. In the last few years, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become a more viable option for removal of adrenal pathology, with many surgeons preferring it to the conventional open technique.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the indications, technique, complications and follow-up of patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our department.


METHODS
The hospital files of 30 patients who underwent the procedure were reviewed. There were 19 females and 11 males with a mean age of 45 years. Indications for surgery differed and included hypersecreting adenoma, pheochromocytoma, suspected malignancy, and incidentaloma.


RESULTS
Of the 31 laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed, 11 were right, 18 were left, and 1 was bilateral. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 3%. The mean duration of procedure was 120 minutes. Only one patient required blood transfusion. Complications occurred in 20% of patients, all reversible. There was no mortality. Mean hospitalization duration was 3.4 days and median follow-up 17 months. There were no late complications. All patients operated on for benign diseases are alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy appears to be a useful tool for the treatment of a range of adrenal pathologies.
Lev-Chelouche
Dina
D
Department of Surgery B, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Sagie
Boaz
B
Keidar
Andre
A
Klausner
Joseph M
JM
Szold
Amir
A
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications