[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Results of 10 cases].

AIM OF THE STUDY

To report our experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy and to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique for a variety of endocrine disorders.

METHODS

Ten patients were operated for laparoscopic adrenalectomy between January 1998 and January 2001.

RESULTS

Eight females and two men, of 45 years mean age (range, 16-71 years), were operated for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. There were 8 tumours in right adrenal gland and two in the left adrenal gland. Indications were: pheochromocytomas (n = 5), aldosterone-producing adenoma (n = 2), cortisol-producing adenoma (n = 2) and cyst (n = 1). All patients had a CT Scan or RMI preoperatively. The patients with pheochromocytoma were prepared preoperatively. Mean operative time was 133 minutes (range, 110-190 minutes). There was no mortality and morbidity was encountered in one patient (bleeding in a trocart site peroperatively). During pheochromocytoma operation, hypertension occurred in two patients. There was one conversion secondary to bleeding. The average length of stay was 3.6 days (range, 2-7 days). During follow-up (range, 6-36 months), the patients were satisfied and none had recurrence of hormonal excess.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe, effective and decreases hospital stay and convalescence. The laparoscopic approach is the procedure of choice for adrenalectomy except in the case of carcinoma.