[Clinical evaluation of our first 50 laparoscopic adrenalectomies]

We performed 50 laparoscopic adrenalectomies during the period from 1998 through 2003. We report our experience and the outcomes of this procedure, which has become a standard surgery for adrenal tumors. In most cases, the transperitoneal approach was used. In 48 cases, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed successfully. However, in two cases, the operation was converted to an open procedure because of bleeding. As our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy increased, operation time decreased. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be used more widely in the future.