[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: presentation of 43 cases].
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.
Martínez Lesquereux
Lucía
L
Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España. lucialesquereux@hotmail.com
Puñal
José Antonio
JA
Paredes Cotoré
Jesús Pedro
JP
Parada González
Purificación
P
Beiras Sarasquete
Carolina
C
Gamborino Caramés
Elena
E
Ladra González
María Jesús
MJ
Beiras Torrado
Alejandro
A
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