Robotic adrenalectomy

Abstract

Over the last 2 decades, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard for removal of adrenal tumors. Although accepted as a safe and efficient procedure, laparoscopy has certain disadvantages, such as the 2-dimensional view, unstable camera platform, and rigid instrumentation. Robotic surgery offers a solution for these drawbacks and has opened a new era of telemedicine, providing the surgeons with a sophisticated stable 3-dimensional platform, 7 degrees of freedom, and enhanced vision. In the recent years, robotic adrenal surgery has been adapted by many centers across the globe and become an alternative to laparoscopy. Herein, we provide a detailed review of the current literature and share our institutional experience on robotic adrenalectomy.