Surgical management of open versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy: outcome analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The authors sought to compare the outcome of children undergoing open versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy for an adrenal tumor.

Methods: Medical records of children that underwent an adrenalectomy from 1990 through 1999 were reviewed. Sixty-four adrenalectomies were performed: 27 pheochromocytomas, 36 neuroblastomas, and 1 virilizing tumor. Sixty adrenalectomies were performed open and 4 laparoscopically. The patient's age, surgical length of stay, operative charge, hospital cost, operating time, blood loss, and outcome were examined.

Results: Mean age for an open procedure was 8.9 +/- 0.9 years and 14 +/- 1.1 for laparoscopic (P =.019). Surgical length of stay for open was 5.4 +/-.38 days and 2.7 +/-.62 days for laparoscopic (P =.006). Patient operative charges were $12,941 +/- 676 for laparoscopic and $4,714 +/- 411 for open (P <.001). When total estimated patient cost, including hospital stay, were compared between groups there was no significant difference. Similar mean operating times and blood loss were noted. There were no deaths or complications in children with a pheochromocytoma. The mortality rate in children with neuroblastoma was 28%.

Conclusions: Adrenalectomy for benign tumors can be performed safely. In selected children a laparoscopic procedure can be expected to decrease the surgical length of stay without increasing operating time or complications.