Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a 6-year experience of 59 cases

Background: The aims of this paper were to review our experience with laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy, report on outcomes in comparison with the published literature, and demonstrate any learning curve with the technique. Methods: A review of our database and patient records was carried out for the period April 1995 to December 2000. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, operating times, outcomes and lengths of stay were studied. Diagnostic tools, including a comparison between tumour size on computed tomography scanning and on pathological section were reviewed. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE. Results: Indications for surgery included 33 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (29 adenomas, 4 hyperplasias), 12 phaeochromo­cytomas, 7 cortisol‐secreting adenomas, 4 non‐secreting adenomas, 1 medullary cyst, 1 metastasis and 1 ganglioneuroma. The tumours ranged in size from 7 to 110 mm. All tumours were localized and lateralized preoperatively using standard techniques. Throughout the review period, six open procedures were undertaken electively, for various reasons. Three cases were converted to open procedures (5.1%). Thirty‐eight left and 21 right procedures were undertaken. For all laparoscopic procedures, the average time in the operating theatre was 175.1 min. Men took 188.3 min compared with 165.7 min for women. Left‐sided lesions took 178.72 min compared with 167.63 min for right‐sided lesions. The average length of stay was 3.8 days. There was one wound infection, one blood transfusion and two readmissions: one for pain control in a patient with difficult home circumstances, and one patient suffered transient hypoadrenalism. Conclusion: The results achieved in our initial experience with this technique are comparable with the published literature. The results confirm that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the method of choice for resection of benign adrenal pathology. The procedure has a learning curve and should be performed by a surgeon experienced in both open and laparoscopic adrenal surgery.