[Surgical interventions of the adrenal gland. Diagnosis and results of treatment].

From 1982 to 1992, 33 patients underwent adrenalectomy for disease of the adrenal gland: 18 patients with adrenal cortex adenoma or hyperplasia (Cushing's syndrome n = 11, Conn's syndrome n = 6, adrenogenital syndrome n = 1), 3 with pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease, 7 with pheochromocytoma (malignant n = 1), 2 with a metastasis of lung cancer and 1 with cystic adrenal necrosis. Multiple endocrine neoplasia existed in four cases. Various preoperative symptoms were noted, including complaints typical of the respective syndromes and general abdominal symptoms. Other patients were symptom-free with incidental findings. An intercostal approach was used in 30 cases, a transabdominal approach in 3 cases. In 6 cases bilateral and in 27 cases unilateral adrenalectomy was performed. In two cases additional nephrectomy became necessary because of extensive adhesions. Intraoperatively, one patient suffered a blood pressure crisis. 31 patients are still alive and symptom-free after a mean follow-up of 5.4 years (range 1-11 years). Two patients have died (one with benign pheochromocytoma and one with a metastasis of lung cancer). Detailed preoperative hormone analysis and adequate preoperative medication substantially lowers the risk involved in adrenal surgery. However, the indications for surgical treatment of hormonally inactive, symptom-free adrenal tumors that are found incidentally remain controversial, and surgery should perhaps be restricted to large tumors.