title: [Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: initial experience].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the first published report in 1992, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been widespread and it is now accepted as the standard treatment option in most of benign diseases of the adrenal gland. Aim of the present study is to describe our initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 2001 and December 2005, 15 patients were submitted to laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases of the adrenal gland. We analyzed patients characteristics (sex, age, initial diagnosis), operative and perioperative results (operative time, blood loss, time to first oral intake) and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operative time was 143 minutes. Blood loss was minimal. Mean hospital stay was 90 hours. There was no need for open conversion and complication rate was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal gland is a safe and effective option which offers quality of life benefits to the patients.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Geral de Santo António, Porto, Portugal. aphmmx5@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palacios
authors.forename: Estêvão
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Massó
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Versos
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autorino
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Filinto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcelo
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum; D012189:Retrospective Studies