title: Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a surgical option for multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 2) patients with bilateral pheochromocytomas.
abstract: Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN 2) is a rare disorder. Of this group, 42% develop a pheochromocytoma of which 60% will have bilateral involvement. Although the benefits of unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy have been well documented, fewer cases of simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy have been reported. We present the cases of three patients with MEN 2 who underwent successful simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy after their initial presentation with bilateral pheochromocytoma. Although the management of bilateral pheochromocytomas has traditionally been approached via open laparotomy or bilateral posterior incisions, the bilateral laparoscopic approach should be considered a viable alternative for patients requiring surgical intervention. Clinical outcomes and complications are similar to open laparotomy. Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective procedure that results in a more rapid recovery and a shorter hospital stay for patients with bilateral pheochromocytomas originating from MEN 2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA. zimmermp@upstate.edu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DaSilva
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009377:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / Q000601:surgery*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome