Transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard technique for the surgical removal of the adrenal gland at many centers worldwide. Functional adrenal tumors such as aldosteronoma, glucocorticoid, androgen/estrogen-producing adenomas, and small-to-moderate sized solitary pheochromocytomas are amenable to removal via a laparoscopic approach. The advantages of laparoscopic adrenalectomy over open adrenalectomy are well documented and include a shorter hospital stay, a decrease in postoperative pain, shorter interval between surgery and return to preoperative activity level, and improved cosmesis. Various laparoscopic approaches to the adrenal gland have been described. Among these are the lateral transabdominal, anterior transabdominal, lateral retroperitoneal, and posterior retroperitoneal approaches. Each of these methods has specific advantages and disadvantages. This article reviews the transperitoneal approach to laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and discusses indications, operative technique, and a survey of the available literature.