Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children.
OBJECTIVE
The use of a minimally invasive approach for adrenalectomy is poorly defined in pediatric patients, although laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered a standard procedure in adults. The aim of our study was to describe the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive adrenalectomy in children on the basis of surgical skills and results.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of 4 pediatric laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed at our center between 2009 and 2012. All patients underwent transperitoneal lateral laparoscopic adrenalectomies (2 right and 2 left adrenalectomies).


RESULTS
Four laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. Indications for surgery were neuroblastoma in 2 patients, secernent adrenocortical tumor in 1 patient, and adrenocortical nodular hyperplasia in 1 patient. Patients had a mean age of 87 months (range, 17-156 months) at diagnosis, and the average lesion size was 3.23 cm (range, 0.7-6.4 cm). All laparoscopic adrenalectomies were successful, no conversions to open surgery were required, and no postoperative complications or deaths occurred. The average operating time was 105 minutes (range, 80-130 minutes), blood loss during surgery was minimal, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.75 days (range, 3-5 days). None of the patients showed signs of recurring disease at 15-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe, feasible, and reproducible technique offering numerous advantages, including shortening of operating times and postoperative hospital stays, as well as reduction of blood loss and complications. It also provides good visibility and easy access to other organs.
Department of Surgery.
Barbara
B
Catellani
Department of Surgery.
Sara
S
Acciuffi
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Diego
D
Biondini
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Pier Luca
PL
Ceccarelli
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy.
Alfredo
A
Cacciari
Department of Surgery.
Roberta
R
Gelmini
D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Adrenal tumors; Children; Laparoscopic adrenalectomy; Pediatric surgery