[Possibilities of retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery in treatment of adrenal diseases].
After introduction of the transperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy in 1992 and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (RA) in 1994, the both techniques were widely accepted in the routine surgery practices. Now some authors described them as a "golden standard" in the surgical treatment of adrenal disorders.


METHODS
34 retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in our clinic for the period of May 1996-December 2002.


RESULTS
The mean operating time was 125 minutes (45-220 min.) The average itraoperative blood loss was 70 ml. Only in one case the blood loss was 300 ml, causing conversion to open adrenalectomy. In 6 cases we converted to open adrenalectomy for other reasons--17.6%. In the last 15 cases we had no need of conversion to open adrenalectomy. Intraoperative complications were minor--2 cases (5.88%). Consumption of analgesics was low. Hospitalization period was 3 days.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, EA is associated with fewer complications than have been reported with OA. Despite the limitations of retrospective analysis, the results of this technique are very impressing in relation to diminishing the operative trauma, postoperative pain syndrome and faster recovery. EA is to become a method of choice in surgical treatment of the benign adrenal disorders.
Todorov
G
G
Petkov
R
R
Mladenovski
V
V
Gavrailov
N
N
Kŭtev
N
N
Goranov
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002031:Bulgaria; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography