Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Traditional adrenalectomy usually required long incisions that causes considerable pain and morbidity. Adrenal tumours are ideal for laparoscopic removal because they are usually small, benign and no reconstruction is needed. Various laparoscopic approaches have been described. Early reports of laparoscopic adrenalectomy described the lateral transabdominal approach. The extraperitoneal approach needed an artificial space to work. Our unit used the anterior transabdominal approach because it provided clear anatomical landmarks and early control of adrenal veins is possible. Initial results from various authors showed encouraging results. Although the operative time is longer the time to resume diet and mobilization is shorter when compared to open surgery. As experience gained, the operative time can be shortened. We believed that with proper preoperative assessment and preparation, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe and feasible.