[Open adrenalectomy for adrenal metastases from lung cancer--usefulness and problem of laparoscopic adrenalectomy]

We examined the outcome of open adrenalectomy performed at our hospital to determine the effectiveness and problems of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal metastases from lung cancer. Between January 2001 and June 2004, eight open adrenalectomies were performed on six patients with adrenal metastases from lung cancer. Surrounding adhesion was observed in five of the eight cases (63%). The recurrence period was 17.8 months and 5.3 months in the cases with and without adhesion, respectively. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal metastases may be safe and effective. However, potential surrounding adhesions meed to be adequately considered, if the primary lesion is the lung.