[Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy]

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LAE) in patients with adrenal gland tumors.

Materials and methods: From 2011 to 2016, 24 patients (15 men, 9 women), mean age 49.6 +/- 8.2 years, underwent LAE. The right, left and bilateral LAE was performed in 12, 10 and 2 patients, respectively. Indications for surgery were mainly primary and metastatic adrenal tumors. The operations were performed using a transperitoneal 4-port approach.

Results: Twenty six LAE were successfully performed in 24 patients. There were no conversions. Blood transfusion was used only in 1 patient, who had a history of the laparoscopic left nephrectomy for the renal cell carcinoma 2 years earlier. She had bleeding due to a spleen injury during the left LAE. She also developed acute postoperative pancreatitis, resolved by conservative therapy. The mean intra- and postoperative blood loss was 160 (120-750) ml, the operative time was 135 (100-205) min, and the length of hospital stay was 4 (3-5) days. Histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma and adenoma in 20 (73.1%) and 6 (26.9%) removed adrenal glands, respectively.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an effective and safe surgical modality to treat patients with adrenal tumors.

Keywords: adrenal gland; adrenalectomy; laparoscopy; tumor.