[Role of endoscopic adrenalectomy in adrenal gland surgery]

Endoscopic techniques are used increasingly in adrenal gland surgery. In this paper the indications and results of the laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic approach are compared to the results of the conventional trans- and extraperitoneal approach. Endoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed safely and with the benefits associated with minimally invasive surgery. Disadvantages of the laparoscopic, transperitoneal approach are the risk of an intraabdominal injury and the problems caused by adhesions after abdominal operations. The retroperitoneoscopic approach avoids these disadvantages. Anatomical orientation is more difficult using the retroperitoneoscopic access. In case of large tumors of the adrenal gland suspected for malignancy we see the indication for the conventional transperitoneal approach.