[Transthoracic approach for removing adrenal masses]

Early results with the transthoracic approach for removing adrenal tumors were evaluated. Between May 1994 and December 1995, 8 women and 5 men (aged 18-74) with adrenal masses underwent transthoracic adrenalectomy. All were excised successfully with short operation times (mean: 86 min), minimal blood loss (151 ml), limited use of parenteral analgesics (1.3 days), early ambulation (1.7 days post operation) and a short period of parenteral nutrition (1.7 days), resulting in reduced hospital stay (mean 6.7 days). With the transthoracic approach procedures are quick and safe even for large, malignant, and hormone-producing tumors. Recovery is easy with brief hospitalization. It provides excellent exposure of the adrenals, enables good control of bleeding vessels and is therefore our preferred method for removing adrenal masses.