[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: analysis of 65 cases]

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands.
• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy offers potential benefits over open surgery, including reduced morbidity and faster recovery.
• Experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for various adrenal pathologies is valuable for surgical teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the experience and outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transperitoneal lateral approach for adrenalectomy.
• To analyze surgical parameters including operative time, blood loss, and postoperative course.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 60 patients (65 cases) who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy between January 2000 and January 2007.
• The transperitoneal lateral approach was utilized for all procedures.
• Data collected included operative time, blood loss, conversion rates, complications, and postoperative stay.

Main Results:

• The mean operative time was 140 minutes, with a trend towards shorter durations in later cases.
• Conversion to laparotomy was required in 3 cases (5%).
• One major complication (pancreatic fistula) was observed. Mean blood loss was 49 ± 50 ml, and mean postoperative stay was 4.5 days.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective treatment for benign adrenal diseases, including incidentalomas.
• The transperitoneal lateral approach is a viable option for adrenalectomy.
• Surgical teams with laparoscopic expertise can manage lesions larger than 6 cm using this technique.