title: [Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: presentation of 43 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to present and analyse our experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive and retrospective study including LA performed over 8 years, between 2000 and 2008 in our hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 43 LA were performed to 41 patients using a transperitoneal lateral approach. Indications for adrenalectomy included hyperaldosteronism (19), non-functioning adenoma (8), phaeochromocytoma (6), Cushing's syndrome (6), metastasis (3) and adrenal primary tumour (1). Median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days and the median size of the masses was 30mm (range: 4-155mm) Complications occurred in 3 patients (2 respiratory infections, and 1 intraoperative bleeding). There was no mortality. Only one case needed conversion to open adrenalectomy; no patients required reintervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective method in the treatment of adrenal masses and it can be performed with minimal risk and morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España. lucialesquereux@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martínez Lesquereux
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Puñal
authors.forename: Jesús Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Paredes Cotoré
authors.forename: Purificación
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parada González
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beiras Sarasquete
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gamborino Caramés
authors.forename: María Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ladra González
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beiras Torrado
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult