A comparison of open vs laparoscopic adrenalectomy

To compare the outcome of patients who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy (LA) with those who had open adrenalectomy (OA).

A retrospective review of consecutive adrenalectomies performed by a single surgical team at a university hospital. Outcome measurements were operative time, operative blood loss, procedure-related complications, postoperative stay, and return to regular activity.

Twenty-nine adrenalectomies were done in 23 patients during a 54-month period. There were 12 OAs performed in nine patients and 17 LAs were done in 14 patients. Both groups were similar in their demographics and their indications for operation. All attempted LAs were successfully completed. The mean operative time was longer for LA than for OA (289 vs 201 min; p = 0.042). Resumption of oral intake (1.0 vs 3.0 days; p = 0.002), postoperative hospital stay (3.0 vs 7.9 days; p = 0.002), and return to regular activity (8.9 vs 14.6 days; p = 0.002) were significantly shorter after LA than after OA. There were no postoperative deaths and there was no difference in operative blood loss between the two groups. Procedure-related complications occurred in three patients having LA and in five patients having OA.

Patients having LA had longer operative procedures but shorter hospital stays and faster return to normal activity than patients having OA. Procedure-related complications for LA were due to bleeding into the retroperitoneum or abdominal wall. Significant postoperative cardiac and respiratory complications occurred only in the OA group.