Laparoscopic adrenal surgery in children

The laparoscopic approach to the adrenal gland was first reported in 1992. Since then, more than 400 studies have been published, comprising hundreds of adults. There are few reports of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the pediatric population. We reviewed our experience with laparoscopic adrenal surgery in children.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 8 girls and 5 boys 15 years or younger (mean age 6.3) between December 1994 and August 2001. The clinical diagnosis before surgery was virilizing tumor in 5 cases, nonfunctioning solid adrenal tumor in 3, Cushing's syndrome in 2, pheochromocytoma in 2 and Cushing's pituitary disease in 1. Unilateral adrenal lesions were 15 to 80 mm. at the longest axis (mean 41.4) on computerized tomography.

Two of the 13 procedures (15.4%) were converted to open surgery. No deaths occurred. No patients presented with postoperative complications. Average operative time in unilateral nonconverted procedures was 107 minutes (range 25 to 195). Blood transfusion was required in 1 case (7.7%). Average hospital stay was 5.5 days (range 1 to 17). Average postoperative followup was 16 months (range 1 to 60). The final clinicopathological diagnosis was virilization in 4 cases, Cushing's syndrome in 2, pheochromocytoma in 2, neuroblastoma in 2, Cushing's pituitary disease in 1, teratoma in 1 and primary carcinoma in 1.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible and shows positive results in select pediatric patients.