Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism: clinical experience in 12 patients

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become a viable option for removal of small adrenal neoplasms. We present our initial experience of this operation for primary aldosteronism. In this prospective study, 12 consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism were operated on laparoscopically by one surgeon. Operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, complications, hospital stay, convalescence time, and outcome were analyzed. Five right-sided and seven left-sided adrenalectomies were performed in six female and six male patients with a mean age of 51 years. The mean operative time was 126 minutes. All procedures were successfully carried out laparoscopically. No major complications occurred. All patients turned normokalemic and the medication for hypertension could be stopped or diminished in all cases. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days, and the mean sick leave was 13 days. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy seems to be a safe and effective treatment for primary aldosteronism and should be considered the operation of choice.