LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY: THE RETROPERITONEAL APPROACH

Purpose

Retroperitoneal laparoscopy, by providing direct access to the retroperitoneal cavity, is an interesting approach to urological surgery. We report our initial experience with retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Materials and Methods

Between January 1995 and April 1997, 23 adrenalectomies were performed by retroperitoneal laparoscopy in 10 men and 12 women. The patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position and 5 trocars were used. The retroperitoneal working space was created by digital dissection and was completed by insufflation without balloon dissection. The surgical indications were Conn's adenoma in 12 cases, Cushing's adenoma in 4, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (Cushing's disease) in 1 (treated in a single procedure), a nonfunctioning adenoma in 2, pheochromocytoma in 2 and adrenal metastasis in 1.

Results

We removed 7 right and 16 left adrenal glands in an average operating time of 97 minutes (range 45 to 160). Average tumor size was 26 mm. (range 10 to 40). Average hospital stay was 3.3 days (range 1 to 10). Blood loss was minimal. Postoperative analgesic requirements were moderate. Conversion to open surgery was not necessary. The morbidity rate was low, with 1 postoperative hematoma and 1 case of persistent fever (greater than 38.5C).

Conclusions

Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy is a reliable and effective technique. At our institution retroperitoneal laparoscopy is now the standard adrenal surgery procedure for tumors less than 5 cm.     

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for Renal Tumor: The Washington University Experience

Purpose

We report our experience with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in 17 consecutive patients with renal tumors.

Materials and Methods

The clinical data on 17 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy were reviewed. Of the patients 12 with stage pT1 or pT2 renal cell carcinoma 7 cm. in diameter or smaller undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy were compared to 12 undergoing open radical nephrectomy for stage pT1 or pT2 renal cell carcinoma 6 cm. in diameter or smaller.

Results

Among the 17 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy average operative time was 6.9 hours (range 4.5 to 9) and average estimated blood loss was 105 cc (range 50 to 600). Average weight of the surgical specimen was 402 gm. (range 190 to 1,100). In 12 of 16 patients in whom laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was completed the specimen was removed intact. The patients required an average of 24 mg. morphine sulfate equivalent (range 2 to 220) for postoperative pain. Average hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 3 to 11) and average interval to resume normal activities was 3.5 weeks (range 2 to 4).The 12 patients in the open and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy groups were similar with respect to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and interval of surgery. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy required significantly more operative time than open radical nephrectomy (6.9 versus 2.2 hours, respectively). However, the laparoscopic radical nephrectomy group compared to the open radical nephrectomy group had significantly less postoperative pain (24 versus 40 mg. morphine sulfate equivalent required for postoperative analgesia), shorter interval to resuming oral intake (1 versus 3 days), more rapid discharge from the hospital (4.5 versus 8.4 days) and more rapid return to normal activities (3.5 versus 5.1 weeks). The laparoscopic nephrectomy group also fully recovered more rapidly than the open surgical group (5.8 versus 39 weeks). To date, during a 4-year period there was no retroperitoneal recurrence or seeding of a port site.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a lengthy and demanding procedure. However, it affords patients with renal cell carcinoma a markedly improved postoperative course while accomplishing the necessary surgical goals.     

Venous Dissection Injuries During Laparoscopic Urological Surgery

Purpose

The incidence of major venous dissection injuries during laparoscopic procedures is assessed and recommendations are made for management.

Materials and Methods

We evaluated our experience with all major intra-abdominal injuries occurring during 274 consecutive laparoscopic procedures performed within a 4-year period. Five patients (1.7 percent) had a total of 6 major vascular injuries, including gonadal vein avulsion in 1 case, lumbar vein avulsion in 1 and a tear in the inferior vena cava in 4. Two patients sustained inferior vena caval injuries during nephrectomy because of adhesions from previous surgery and 1 of them had 2 venacavotomies.

Results

All vascular injuries were venous and 5 of the 6 major vessel injuries were treated successfully endoscopically via intracorporeal suturing techniques. The injury requiring open repair was a gonadal vessel avulsion that occurred during retroperitoneal lymph node dissection early in our laparoscopic experience. Major vessel injuries were more likely to occur during complex laparoscopic procedures in patients who had undergone previous ipsilateral retroperitoneal surgery.

Conclusions

In select situations new techniques can allow for safe endoscopic control and repair of venous injuries during laparoscopic surgery.     

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy Via the Reproperitoneal Approach

Purpose

We evaluated efficacy of the retroperitoneal approach for laparoscopic nephrectomy of kidneys with benign disease.

Materials and Methods

Eight men and 12 women (mean age 55 years) with severely damaged kidneys underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal nephrectomy. One patient had a history of multiple open abdominal and gynecological operations. Kidneys were removed laparoscopically from the working space, which was created by finger and balloon dissection, and maintained by carbon dioxide insufflation in the retroperitoneal cavity.

Results

All kidneys were removed successfully via this procedure. Mean operative time was 3.3 hours and mean estimated blood loss was 135 ml. One patient experienced bleeding from the injured capsular artery just after removal of the kidney.

Conclusions

The retroperitoneal approach is recommended for laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Functioning Adrenal Tumors: Comparison With Conventional Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Purpose

We attempted to confirm the possibility and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy via the retroperitoneal approach, and to compare results of the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches.

Materials and Methods

Three men and 8 women (mean age 39.6 years) with functioning adrenocortical tumors (primary aldosteronism in 5 and Cushing's syndrome in 6) underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy via the retroperitoneal approach using a balloon dissection technique and a newly developed ultrasonic aspirator. Results were compared to those of 27 cases of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Results

Although the retroperitoneal approach was successful in all 5 patients with primary aldosteronism, it succeeded in only 2 of the 6 cases of Cushing's syndrome. In 3 Cushing's syndrome cases the retroperitoneal approach was changed to the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach due to difficulty in exploration. Open laparotomy was required in 1 case of left Cushing's syndrome because of an inadvertent pancreatic injury. Subcutaneous emphysema developed in 6 patients without hypercapnia or prolonged postoperative symptoms. Mean operative time and blood loss, and time to oral intake and ambulation were 248.3 minutes, 151.4 ml., and 1.55 and 2 days, respectively. There was no difference between retroperitoneal and conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in regard to these factors or to convalescence.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible for primary aldosteronism. However, Cushing's syndrome is presently a much more difficult indication than primary aldosteronism for this new operative technique.     

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal renal and adrenal surgery in children

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the use of a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for simple nephrectomy and adrenalectomy in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal and adrenal procedures carried out in children and completed between 1993 and March 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Analgesic requirements, hospital stay, complications and blood loss were reviewed. The technique is described in detail. RESULTS: Forty-eight retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedures were completed in 48 patients (mean age 5.5 years, range 0.5-16). The procedures included nephrectomy (22), nephroureterectomy (15), renal biopsy (six), cyst ablation (two) and simple adrenalectomy (three). In all, 11 procedures were undertaken in children aged < 2 years. Forty-one (91%) of the children undergoing renal procedures were discharged in < 24 h. Two patients underwent three adrenalectomies. Two children required conversion to open surgery, one undergoing a right-sided adrenalectomy and one a nephrectomy. The mean operative duration for nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy was 75 min, and for adrenalectomy was 115 min. CONCLUSION: Renal and adrenal surgery in children is a safe and rapid procedure with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. The operative duration for nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are frequently < 1 h. In addition, laparoscopic surgery offers significant advantages in terms of cosmesis and a quicker recovery.     

LEARNING CURVE AND CONVERSION TO OPEN SURGERY IN CASES OF LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY AND NEPHRECTOMY

Purpose

We examine how the level of experience acquired by the laparoscopist affects the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy, and what is necessary to avoid complications in these surgeries.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the experience levels of 8 urological laparoscopists between 1991 and 1995. In addition, other cases that were converted to open surgery were collected from the institutes with which the 8 laparoscopists were affiliated.

Results

The rates of conversion to open surgery were 6.4% in 204 cases of adrenalectomy and 14.3% in 63 of nephrectomy. Conversion rates were related to blood loss volume but not operative time. The major causes of conversion were bleeding in 45% of cases and adhesion in 34%. There were no mortalities. Mean operative time decreased significantly, reaching that of open surgery as the number of procedures increased up to 20 adrenalectomies and 10 nephrectomies. The volume of blood lost remained low from the early experience. Blood transfusion rates were 4.4% for adrenalectomy and 11.1% for nephrectomy.

Conclusions

Operative time of these procedures decreased significantly with surgeon experience and reached that of open surgery. Cases in which adhesion is anticipated should be restricted to avoid conversion. These laparoscopic procedures are acceptable as a standard operative techniques for adrenal and renal diseases.     

Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors: Indications and Limitations

Purpose

We describe our experience with laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in 26 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: 17 had stage I disease with no clinical (computerized tomography, ultrasound or tumor markers) evidence of metastases and 9 (2 with stage IIb and 7 with stage IIc disease) had residual tumor after chemotherapy but with negative tumor markers. Laparoscopic dissection was performed to assess more fully pathological status of the relevant retroperitoneal lymph nodes in both groups.

Materials and Methods

The patient was positioned and trocars were introduced at sites similar to that used for transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (flank position with 3, 10 mm. and 2, 5 mm. ports). After the white line of Toldt was incised and the colon was reflected anteromedially, the retroperitoneal space was exposed. The landmarks of lymph node dissection were then isolated, including the ureter, aorta, inferior vena cava and both renal veins. Lymph node dissection was performed identical to that for open surgery, with a modified template including the paracaval, interaortocaval, upper preaortic and right common iliac nodes for right tumors, and para-aortic and upper preaortic nodes for left tumors. Lymph node chains were retrieved with a small organ bag.

Results

The procedure was completed successfully in 16 of 17 patients with stage I disease (mean duration 268 minutes for the left and 312 minutes for the right sides). No intraoperative complications were encountered. One patient had delayed ureteral stenosis requiring operative repair, 1 had a pulmonary embolism with an uneventful outcome and 1 who underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection on the right side later had retrograde ejaculation. Embryonal carcinoma was found in 1 of the 17 patients.Average postoperative hospital stay was 4.5 days for patients without complications or conversion to an open procedure. After a median followup of 27 months no patient had regional relapse but 2 had pulmonary metastases that were treated successfully with 3 cycles of platinum based chemotherapy. Laparoscopic dissection was significantly more difficult in patients with stage II tumors after chemotherapy. Only in 2 patients with stage IIb disease was laparoscopic lymphadenectomy successful. In 5 of the 7 patients with stage IIc cancer portions of the dissection had to be done after conversion to an open (conventional) operation via a small incision (suprainguinal or pararectal). In 1 patient the laparoscopic approach was completely abandoned and converted to an open operation via a standard midline incision. In all 9 cases histopathological examination revealed complete necrosis. No patient has evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Our preliminary experience suggests that a modified laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is feasible for stage I tumors. However, it cannot be recommended after previous chemotherapy (stages IIb and IIc disease).     

Adrenalectomy by Retroperitoneal Laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery

Background:

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the current standard for treatment of benign adrenal disease. To reduce the invasiveness of surgery, new techniques have been recently proposed, such as mini-laparoscopy, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, and laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS). Herein, we describe one case of adrenalectomy by retroperitoneal LESS using conventional laparoscopic instruments and ports.

Case Report:

A 52-year-old female patient with an incidental finding of a 3-cm mass in the left adrenal was referred to us. Preoperative blood concentrations of catecholamines, aldosterone, and cortisol, and urinary excretion of vanilmandelic acid were normal. She underwent an adrenalectomy by retroperitoneal LESS using conventional instruments and ports. Operative time and estimated blood loss were 82 minutes and <50cc, respectively. She was discharged 12 hours after surgery. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Pathological analysis of the specimen identified an adrenal cortical adenoma.

Conclusion:

Adrenalectomy by retroperitoneal LESS using conventional laparoscopic instruments is feasible. Further studies must be performed to evaluate safety, indications and benefits of this approach.     

A Comparative Study of the Transperitoneal and Posterior Retroperitoneal Approaches for Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Adrenal Tumors

Background

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of small adrenal tumors. However, several approach routes, such as the transperitoneal (TP), lateral retroperitoneal, and the posterior retroperitoneal (PR) approaches are being used based on surgeon??s preference. The PR approach has several benefits compared with the others. Recently, the authors used the PR approach to treat several adrenal tumors and here describe the methods used in detail and the preliminary results obtained.

Methods

From January 2009 to July 2010, 58 patients underwent adrenalectomy. Open adrenalectomy and robotic adrenalectomy were performed in 5 and 10 patients. Also, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and the TP and PR approaches were used in 26 and 17 patients, respectively. Clinicopathologic data and surgical outcomes were evaluated and compared retrospectively.

Results

There were no significant differences between the TP and PR groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, lesion side, volume of blood loss, or tumor size (3.86?±?3.83 in TP approach, 2.64?±?1.61 in PR approach). Mean operative time and average oral intake time using the PR approach were shorter than for the TP approach. Less analgesia use was required in patients who underwent PR approach.

Conclusions

This study shows that posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe procedure and the operative time is comparable to transperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. The use of the PR approach for small adrenal tumor can provide very favorable surgical outcomes compared with the TP approach.     

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Solitary Metachronous Contralateral Adrenal Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

We report our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for malignant adrenal disease.

Materials and Methods

Between June 1995 and January 1996, 2 patients with a solitary metachronous contralateral adrenal metastasis from renal cell cancer were evaluated. Both patients had undergone radical nephrectomy for localized renal cancer 5 years previously. Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy was performed.

Results

The laparoscopic procedures required 2.5 and 4.3 hours. Hospital stay was 3 and 4 days. The specimens weighed 98 and 81 gm. All surgical margins were free of metastatic clear cell cancer. Both patients were begun on prednisone and fludrocortisone replacement therapy. One patient experienced an increase in creatinine, which has since stabilized at 3.0 mg./dl. Neither patient had recurrent cancer at 11 and 16 months of followup.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastatic renal cell cancer was performed successfully in 2 patients. However, the short-term benefits to the patient of earlier ambulation, decreased pain, minimal incisions and shortened convalescence must be weighed against the as yet unknown long-term (5 years) results.     

Port-site transversus abdominis fascia closure reduced the incidence of incisional hernia following retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy

Purpose

The incidence of incisional hernia after laparoscopic surgery is reportedly 0–5.2 %; there are only a few reports of that following retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. We evaluated the incidence of and risk factors for incisional hernia after retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy, and the efficacy of our novel prophylaxis technique.

Methods

A total of 207 renal cell carcinoma patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at Chiba University Hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. We compared the incidences of incisional hernia following the transperitoneal vs. retroperitoneal approaches, and, among the latter group, the incidences with vs. without use of our prophylaxis method. Also among the retroperitoneal-approach group, we evaluated selected patient characteristics as potential hernia risk factors.

Results

The rate of incisional hernias was 14 (8.7 %) after 161 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies and one (2.2 %) after 46 transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies (P = 0.132). For those undergoing the retroperitoneal approach, 14 (11.3 %) hernias were identified in 124 non-prophylaxed patients and none in 37 prophylaxed patients. Transversus abdominis fascia closure was a statistically significant factor for reducing the incidence of incisional hernia after retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy (P = 0.0324): rectus abdominis muscle thickness ≤7 mm and perioperative blood loss >100 ml were statistically significant independent risk factors, by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

To prevent incisional hernia after retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in the patients with risk factors, it is useful to close the transversus abdominis fascia at the port sites from inside the surgical cavity, through the open specimen-removal trocar port site, under direct observation.

     

EN BLOC NEPHRECTOMY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING POST-CHEMOTHERAPY RETROPERITONEAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR NONSEMINOMATOUS TESTIS CANCER: INDICATIONS, IMPLICATIONS AND OUTCOMES

Purpose

We review the indications for nephrectomy at post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, identify patients at risk for nephrectomy and assess the impact of nephrectomy on outcome.

Materials and Methods

Using a computerized data base and chart review we retrospectively reviewed the records of 848 patients who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy.

Results

En bloc nephrectomy was performed at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy in 162 of the 848 patients (19%). The indications for nephrectomy included contiguous involvement of perirenal structures in 73% of the cases, renal vein thrombosis in 6%, a poorly functioning or nonfunctioning renal unit in 5% and a combination of these conditions in 16%. Pathological studies of the hilum revealed cancer in 20% of the cases, teratoma in 49% and fibrosis in 31%. Patients requiring nephrectomy had significantly more advanced disease and larger disease volume at presentation and after chemotherapy. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity or mortality compared with patients who did not undergo nephrectomy. Only 3 patients required perioperative dialysis and none required long-term renal support.

Conclusions

These findings support en bloc nephrectomy at post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in select patients with large volume perihilar retroperitoneal disease.     

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy: introduction of simple hand-assisted technique (without hand port)

Objective

Compared with the transperitoneal approach, retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy offers a substantial advantage. However, retroperitoneal access is more difficult because of the limited working space. The objective of this study was to report our experience with hand-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy without a hand port.

Materials and Methods

Intraoperative and immediate postoperative surgical outcomes were reviewed for 23 modified retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomies performed from May 2009 to January 2010. All kidneys were from living related donors. No prisoners or organs from prisoners were used in this study.

Results

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy was successfully completed in all patients, without conversion to open surgery. Mean (range) operative was 114 (98-130) minutes; warm ischemia time was 1.6 (1.3-2.1) minutes; estimated blood loss was 20 (10-50) mL; and postoperative hospital stay was 6.9 (5-10) days. No serious complications such as massive bleeding or bowel injury occurred. In 1 patient, a hematoma of renal fossa developed, which was successfully treated at repeat operation. All kidneys demonstrated good primary function except 1 that exhibited delayed graft function.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy combines the benefits of both hand assistance and the retroperitoneal approach, to minimize the risk of short- and long-term complications associated with the transabdominal approach. The technique could be a cost-effective procedure suitable for use in developing countries.     

Bilateral Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Adrenocorticotropic Dependent Cushing's Syndrome

Purpose

We report our experience with bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for total adrenal ablation in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

Materials and Methods

Four women (mean age 63 years) with Cushing's syndrome secondary to nonlocalized ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production in 3 and pituitary microadenoma after failed transsphenoidal ablation in 1 underwent bilateral transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Preoperatively risk was III or IV according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification.

Results

In all cases bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was successfully performed. Operative time ranged from 375 to 475 minutes (mean 404) and mean blood loss was 162 cc. All patients resumed oral intake on postoperative day 1, mean number of postoperative parentral narcotic doses was 2.25 and mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.75 days (range 3 to 8). Complications included an abdominal wall hematoma. All patients resumed baseline activity by postoperative day 14.

Conclusions

Our experience in 4 cases of Cushing's syndrome suggests that bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective alternative to open adrenalectomy. Further experience with this technique will likely decrease operative time, and confirm the benefit of a decreased hospital stay and convalescence.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy — a review of initial 24 consecutive patients

Aim

To analyze patient demographics, pathology, surgical procedure and outcome in initial 24 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our department.

Methods

Twenty four patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy between September 2000 and August 2005. There were 12 males and 12 females with a mean age of 44.6 years (range 25–68 years). The indications for adrenalectomy were pheochromocytoma (13 patients), Cushing’s syndrome (5 patients), myelolipoma (2 patients), adrenal cyst (2 patients), aldosteronoma (1 patient) and adrenal incidentaloma (1 patient). Nineteen of our patients with functioning adrenal tumours were prepared preoperatively for periods ranging up to 2 weeks by the endocrinologist. All laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed via lateral transperitoneal approach using standard four-port technique. Patients with pheochromocytoma and Cushing’s syndrome were monitored in the surgical intensive care unit during immediate postoperative period. The clinical and intraoperative characteristics, complications and outcomes of all patients were analyzed.

Results

The mean operative time for laparoscopic adrenalectomy was 136 minutes. Intraoperative hypertension occurred in 8 patients. Intraoperative hypotension occurred in 2 patients. One patient required conversion due to dense adhesions and hemorrhage. Postoperative complications were seen in six patients — immediate postoperative hypotension (2 patients), features of steroid withdrawal (2 patients) and postoperative pyrexia (2 patients). Five patients with pheochromocytoma required antihypertensive drugs in the postoperative period. There was no mortality in our series.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe operation that incorporates all the benefits of minimal access surgery and is associated with a satisfactory postoperative outcome. A careful preoperative preparation in functioning adrenal tumours aids in the faster recovery of these patients.     

Routine adrenalectomy in patients with locally advanced renal cell cancer does not offer oncologic benefit and places a significant portion of patients at risk for an asynchronous metastasis in a solitary adrenal gland

Background

The indications for the removal of the ipsilateral adrenal gland in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the long-term outcomes have not been well studied.

Objective

We evaluated the risk of synchronous and asynchronous adrenal involvement in patients with RCC and the effect of adrenalectomy on recurrence and survival in a large, single-institution cohort.

Design, setting, and participants

From 1970 to 2006, 4018 consecutive patients with RCC treated by surgical extirpation (radical nephrectomy [RN]: 3107; partial nephrectomy [PN]: 911) from Mayo Clinic were studied for adrenal involvement. Risk of asynchronous adrenal metastasis and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were also compared between those who underwent concomitant ipsilateral adrenalectomy (n = 1541) and those who did not (n = 2477) using multivariate Cox models.

Intervention

Surgical removal of the adrenal gland at the time of kidney tumor resection.

Measurements

Primary outcome is cancer specific survival; secondary outcomes are incidence of synchronous and asynchronous adrenal metastases.

Results and limitations

Median postoperative follow-up among those still alive was 8.2 yr (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.3-13.6). Synchronous ipsilateral adrenal involvement was rare (n = 88; 2.2%). Ipsilateral adrenalectomy at the time of nephrectomy did not lower the risk of subsequent adrenal metastasis (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-1.42) or improve CSS (HR: 1.08; 95% CI, 0.95-1.22). The development of asynchronous adrenal metastasis occurred in 147 patients (3.7%) at a median of 3.7 yr (IQR: 1.2-7.7) after initial surgery. The risk of developing an ipsilateral versus a contralateral asynchronous adrenal metastasis was equivalent at 10 yr in those who did not undergo adrenalectomy at initial surgery. This study is limited by its single-institution, nonrandomized nature.

Conclusions

Routine ipsilateral adrenalectomy in patients with high-risk features does not appear to offer any oncologic benefit while placing a significant portion of patients at risk for metastasis in a solitary adrenal gland. Therefore, adrenalectomy should only be performed with radiographic or intraoperative evidence of adrenal involvement.     

Laparoscopic Resection of Solitary Adrenal Metastasis from Lung Carcinoma: A Case Report

Background and Objectives:

Patients with adrenal metastases from bronchogenic carcinoma are considered incurable and any surgical treatment is usually excluded. A review of the few cases of adrenalectomy for metastases from lung cancer that have been reported in the literature shows that good results can be achieved in selected patients. We propose a laparoscopic approach to perform the adrenalectomy in these patients.

Methods:

A right laparoscopic adrenalectomy for metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma was performed. The right adrenal was resected using the anterior transperitoneal laparoscopic approach.

Results:

The tumor was resected in total. The operating time was two hours. One year after surgery the patient remains well.

Conclusions:

The current indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy can include the removal of small metastatic adrenal lesions in selected cases.     

后腹腔镜下肾上腺解剖学研究及临床应用

目的：探讨后腹腔镜下肾上腺解剖学特点及其对手术入路合理设计的作用.方法：通过术前CT和（或）MRI、术中观察、反复观看手术录像及文献复习,对肾上腺的解剖学特点进行研究,将后腹腔镜下肾上腺手术总结为4个步骤,第1步清理腹膜外脂肪,第2步辨认解剖标志,第3步进入相应的解剖间隙并快速找到肾上腺,第4步依术前诊断和术中情况选择肾上腺或腺瘤切除术,并以此对33例肾上腺疾病患者施行了后腹腔镜下解剖性肾上腺切除术.结果：33例手术均取得成功,术中出血少,均未输血.术后住院4～8天,平均5.3天,无严重并发症发生.结论：明确手术步骤,术中正确辨认解剖标志和解剖间隙,可以提高后腹腔镜下肾上腺手术的成功率和安全性,缩短该手术的学习曲线.