Retroperitoneal versus transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in adrenal tumor: a meta-analysis

The study aims to provide a pooled meta-analysis of existing studies that compare the outcomes of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy with transperitoneal approach for adrenal tumor.

A systematic search of electronic databases was performed and studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of interest were subjected to meta-analysis using randomized or fixed-effect model to calculate weight mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR). The sensitivity analysis and publication bias test also be conducted.

Nine observational studies with 632 patients were identified (339 retroperitoneal vs. 293 transperitoneal). Retroperitoneal approach was associated with shorter operative time [WMD=-13.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), -23.83 to -2.36; P=0.02], less intraoperative blood loss (WMD=-40.60; 95% CI, -79.73 to -1.47; P=0.04), shorter duration of hospital stay (WMD=-1.25; 95% CI, -2.36 to -0.14; P=0.03), or time to first ambulation (WMD=-0.38; 95% CI, -0.47 to -0.28; P<0.001). Although the difference between number of convert to open management, time to first oral intake, and major postoperative complication rate was not significant (OR=0.53; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.60; P=0.26; WMD=-0.31; 95% CI, -1.14 to 0.52; P=0.47; OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.06 to 1.06; P=0.07).

The present evidence demonstrates that retroperitoneal adrenalectomy is better than transperitoneal approach for patients with adrenal tumor in short-term outcomes. However, extended follow-ups and further randomized controlled trials should be required to analysis.