Transthoracal approach for the removal of adrenal tumors. Early experience with 10 cases.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the early results of a transthoracal approach for the removal of various adrenal tumors.

METHODS

Between May 1994 and March 1995, 10 patients with adrenal masses underwent transthoracal adrenalectomy. Operation time, blood loss, the use of parenteral analgesia, duration of thoracal drainage, time to oral intake, ambulation and hospitalization period were assessed.

RESULTS

All tumors were excised successfully, with a short operation time (mean 91.5 min), minimal blood loss (mean 35 ml), limited use of parenteral analgesics (mean 1.4 days), early ambulation (mean 1.9 days to ambulation) and shorter period of parenteral nutrition (mean 2 days) leading to a reduced hospital stay (mean 6.7 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The transthoracal approach provided excellent exposure and is a quick and safe procedure even for large, malignant and hormone-producing tumors. At present this is our preferred method for the removal of adrenal masses.