Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Laparoscopic Radical Left Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Cancer: Surgical Strategy and Technique Video
Published on: June 6, 2020
[Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein- und Abdominalchirurgie, Universität Mainz.
Aim Of Study:
To determine prospectively in consecutive patients the value of endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.
Patients And Methods:
Between March 1994 and March 1995, endoscopic adrenalectomy via a retroperitoneal approach was performed in eleven patients (three men, eight women; median age 61 [48-73] years), unilateral in nine, bilateral in two. The procedure was indicated if the adrenal tumour was thought to be benign and no larger than 5 cm in diameter (two adrenal and two central Cushing's syndromes; three incidentally detected adrenal adenomas, two phaeochromocytomas, two Conn adenomas).
Results:
Twelve of the 13 procedures were successfully performed. In one case the primary incision in the mid-axillary line had been too large and no satisfactory pneumoretroperitoneum was achieved. Median duration of operation was 180 (125-330) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 200 (125-330) ml. There were no postoperative complications and the median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days (3-12).
Conclusion:
In small (up to 5 cm) adrenal tumours not suspected to be malignant the endoscopic retroperitoneal approach constitutes a sparing alternative to the conventional access to the adrenal gland.
