title: Differences in left and right laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The classic belief is that right-sided laparoscopic adrenalectomy is technically more difficult to perform than left-sided. The purpose of this study was to determine whether objective outcomes are different for the right- versus left- sided operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 163 laparoscopic adrenalectomies was performed to compare outcomes. Variables extracted included age, demographics, body mass index (BMI), laterality, indication, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), gland size, complications, open conversion rates, and length of stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the adrenalectomies performed, 109 were on the left and 54 on the right. Age, BMI, and indication were similar for each group. The mean EBL on the left side was 113 mL (range, 2 to 3000) and 84 mL (range, 10 to 700) for the right (P=0.85). The mean operative time on the left side was 187 minutes (range, 62 to 475) and on the right was 156 minutes (range, 50 to 365) (P=0.02). There was no difference in complication or conversion rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference in complication or conversion rates between each side, and we observed a trend toward lower blood loss for the right side. Although we report generally similar outcomes, the mean operative time for a right-sided laparoscopic adrenalectomy was significantly less (31 minutes) than the left side.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jocelyn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rieder
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nisbet
authors.forename: Melanie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wuerstle
authors.forename: Viet Q
authors.initials: VQ
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Eric O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Chien
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; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult