[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A general review of a current technic]

The anatomical situation of the adrenal gland explains the diversity of the surgical incisions used for adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was first performed in 1992. It allows eradication of small adrenal lesions, which are often incidental findings. There are two routes of laparoscopic access to the adrenal gland: transperitoneal and retroperitoneal. Laparoscopy allows excellent operative exposure, reduction of postoperative pain and hospital stay and rapid convalescence. Retroperitoneoscopy, by allowing direct access to the retroperitoneum, is more rapid than the transperitoneal route.