Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for incidentaloma and bilateral adrenal disease

Adrenalectomy is ideally suited to minimally invasive surgery based on the characteristics of adrenal tumours, which are usually small and benign. The aim of this study was to verify that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is minimally invasive and to assess the indication of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for incidentaloma. From October 1995 through August 2002, 133 patients underwent adrenal surgery at the Department of Surgery II, Nagoya University School of Medicine. Of these, 111 underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. All laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed using the transabdominal lateral approach. In 50 of 133 patients, the adrenal tumours were incidentally discovered. There were 27 non-functioning adrenal tumours and six of seven preclinical Cushing's test syndrome cases incidentally discovered. Six of 27 non-functioning adrenal tumour patients underwent open adrenalectomy because of large tumour size or malignancy. Based on the present criteria for laparoscopic adrenalectomy, 15 of 133 patients were retrospectively considered to have required open adrenalectomy. The average size of a non-functioning adrenal tumour was 5.8 cm in diameter, which was equal to the average size of a phaeochromocytoma. A simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in a patient in poor condition with advanced Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocorticotrophic hormone-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH). The adrenal glands were successfully removed without fragmentation in this patient, and the postoperative course was uneventful, thanks to the minimally invasive surgery. The laparoscopic technique assures less morbidity and faster recovery, and appears to be equally effective in eradicating functioning and non-functioning adrenal masses. The benefits of the laparoscopic approach to adrenalectomy should not result in a more aggressive attitude toward the excision of clinically silent, benign-appearing adrenal incidentalomas.     

经脐单孔腹腔镜与标准三孔后腹腔镜肾上腺切除术的疗效比较

目的对比12例经脐单孔腹腔镜（E-NOTES）和23例标准三孔后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术,评价E．NOTES肾上腺切除术的实用性、安全性及疗效。方法2008年6月至2012年6月天津医科大学第二医院手术治疗的肾上腺良性肿瘤35例,其中E．NOTES肾上腺切除术12例,标准三孔后腹腔镜肾上腺切除术23例。所有手术均为同一术者完成。对两种术式的手术时间、术中平均出血量、术后胃肠道功能恢复时间（以排气为标准）、术后住院天数、并发症发生率、手术总费用等进行比较并进行统计学分析。结果E-NOTES肾上腺手术12例全部成功,标准三孔组1例因损伤肾静脉转开放手术,其余22例均顺利完成。两组在性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、功能性腺瘤所占比例及术后胃肠功能恢复时间方面差别无统计学意义。单孔组平均手术时间比标准组较长（分别为98．75min和80．87min,P=0．02）,但术中平均出血量较少（分别为35．00ml和64．34ml,P=0．01）,术后住院天数较短（分别为3．75d和5．21d,P=0．02）,手术费用较低（分别为12444．70元和14624．42元,P=0．001）。结论E．NOTES肾上腺肿物切除术安全有效,尽管手术时间较长,但在术中平均出血量、术后住院天数、术中及术后并发症发生率、手术总费用方面优于标准三孔手术。     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A new standard of care.

OBJECTIVE: The authors review their experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with benign adrenal neoplasms. Efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of the procedure are examined. BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is replacing open adrenalectomy in some medical centers as the standard surgical approach for uncomplicated tumors. However, laparoscopic adrenalectomy often is considered more difficult and more expensive than traditional "open" surgery. METHODS: Perioperative and postoperative records as well as hospital charges from the first 19 patients undergoing laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomies at the authors' medical institutions were examined and compared with 19 patients who underwent open unilateral adrenalectomies. RESULTS: None of the 19 patients undergoing unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy required conversion to open adrenalectomy. Mean operative times as well as total hospital charges were similar in those patients undergoing either laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy. However, the morbidity and postoperative length of hospital stay were significantly less in those patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed safety and with the benefits associated with minimally invasive surgery. In addition, the procedure is cost effective. These factors suggest that laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be the preferential surgical technique for benign adrenal disease.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: comparison with open adrenalectomy and comparison of laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma versus other adrenal tumors

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma with that of conventional open adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma and laparoscopic surgery for other adrenal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with adrenal tumors, including 10 cases of pheochromocytoma, 18 cases of Cushing's syndrome, 20 cases of primary aldosteronism, and 6 cases of nonfunctioning tumors, were evaluated. A historical group of 7 consecutive patients who underwent conventional open adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma was also studied. RESULTS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma was successful in 9 of the 10 patients. There was no difference in tumor size, operation time, estimated blood loss, or occurrence of hypertensive episodes during surgery between patients treated with laparoscopic procedures and those treated with open surgery. However, the number of days to first postoperative oral feeding and first ambulation, length of hospitalization, and number of patients requiring parenteral analgesics were significantly smaller after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery. There was no significant difference in operation time, estimated blood loss, incidence of intraoperative complications, or postoperative recovery between patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma and those who underwent laparoscopic surgery for other adrenal lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy does not increase the specific risks associated with surgery for pheochromocytoma. It is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional open adrenalectomy.     

Laparoscopic lateral adrenalectomy versus open posterior adrenalectomy for the treatment of benign adrenal tumors

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive techniques play an important role in adrenal gland surgery. The objective of this study was to compare laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy in the lateral position to the open posterior adrenalectomy with respect to the intraoperative and the short-term postoperative course. METHODS: Forty laparoscopic adrenalectomies (LA) carried out between July 1998 and August 2001 were compared to 30 open posterior operations (PA) performed between July 1994 and June 1998. In all cases the indications for surgery was a benign lesion smaller than 8 cm. RESULTS: Age, gender, tumor size, and distribution of the tumor histology were comparable in both groups (LA vs PA). In favor of LA, statistically significant differences (p <0.05) were observed regarding the intraoperative blood loss (260 vs 380 mL), the postoperative narcotic equivalents (2.9 vs 6.4 mg), the morbidity rate (13 vs 27%), and the length of hospital stay (7 vs 10 days). Average operating time was significantly longer for LA (135 vs 106 min). There were two conversions to open adrenalectomy due to diffuse bleeding. Following LA, we observed one major complication (postoperative bleeding from the spleen making a laparotomy necessary) and four minor complications (one small retroperitoneal hematoma, two subcostal nerve irritations, one pleural effusion). PA resulted in one major (wound infection) and seven minor complications (two subcutaneous hematomas, two nerve irritations, two pleural effusions, one dystelectasis). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy proved as a safe and reliable procedure, displaying all advantages of minimal access surgery. In our institution, it has become the standard technique employed for benign adrenal disease. However, the operation is technically demanding, and as adrenal surgery is rare, it should be restricted to centers with special interest in laparoscopic and endocrine surgery.     

Laparoscopic Resection of Large Adrenal Tumors

Background:

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has rapidly replaced open adrenalectomy as the procedure of choice for benign adrenal tumors. It still remains to be clarified whether the laparoscopic resection of large (≥8cm) or potentially malignant tumors is appropriate or not due to technical difficulties and concern about local recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcome of 174 consecutive laparoscopic and open adrenalectomies performed in our surgical unit.

Methods:

Our data come from a retrospective analysis of 174 consecutive adrenalectomies performed on 166 patients from May 1997 to December 2008. Fifteen patients with tumors ≥8cm underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Sixty-five patients were men and 101 were women, aged 16 years to 80 years. Nine patients underwent either synchronous or metachronous bilateral adrenalectomy. Tumor size ranged from 3.2cm to 27cm. The largest laparoscopically excised tumors were a ganglioneuroma with a mean diameter of 13cm and a myelolipoma of 14cm.

Results:

In 135 patients, a laparoscopic procedure was completed successfully, whereas in 14 patients the laparoscopic procedure was converted to open. Seventeen patients were treated with an open approach from the start. There were no conversions in the group of patients with tumors >8cm. Operative time for laparoscopic adrenalectomies ranged from 65 minutes to 240 minutes. In the large adrenal tumor group, operative time for laparoscopic resection ranged from 150 minutes to 240 minutes. The postoperative hospital stay for laparoscopic adrenalectomy ranged from 1 day to 2 days (mean, 1.5) and from 5 days to 20 days for patients undergoing the open or converted procedure. The mean postoperative stay was 2 days for the group with large tumors resected by laparoscopy.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic resection of large (≥8cm) adrenal tumors is feasible and safe. Short- and long-term results did not differ in the 2 groups.     

Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: lessons learned from 111 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (ERA). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Minimally invasive adrenalectomy has become the procedure of choice for benign adrenal pathology. Although the adrenal glands are located in the retroperitoneum, most surgeons prefer the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to adrenal tumors. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 111 ERAs from January 1994 to December 1999 were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients underwent 111 ERAs (79 unilateral, 16 bilateral). Indications were Cushing syndrome (n = 22), Cushing disease (n = 8), ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome (n = 6), Conn's adenoma (n = 25), pheochromocytoma (n = 19), incidentaloma (n = 11), and other (n = 4). Tumor size varied from 0.1 to 8 cm. Median age was 50 years. Unilateral ERA required 114 minutes, with median blood loss of 65 mL. Bilateral ERA lasted 214 minutes, with median blood loss of 121 mL. The conversion rate to open surgery was 4.5%. The complication rate was 11%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days for unilateral ERA and 5 days for bilateral ERA. The death rate was 0.9%. At a median follow-up of 14 months, the recurrence rate of disease was 0.9%. CONCLUSION: For benign adrenal tumors less than 6 cm, ERA is recommended.     

后腹腔镜手术在肾上腺疾病中的应用(附53例报告)

目的：探讨后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺疾病的手术方法及临床效果。方法：采用后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺疾病53例,其中原发性醛固酮增多症32例（腺瘤26例,结节样增生6例）,皮质醇增多症10例（腺瘤5例,皮质增生5例）,无功能性腺瘤4例,肾上腺囊肿3例,嗜铬细胞瘤3例,肾上腺髓质增生1例。结果：全部手术成功,无严重并发症,手术时间40～180min,平均75min;术中出血均在50ml以下。患者术后12h～1天即可下床活动,1天恢复进食,术后住院4～12天,平均6.3天。结论：后腹腔镜手术具有安全有效、创伤小、疼痛轻、康复快、住院时间短等优点,可作为肾上腺良性疾病的首选手术方法。     

Laparoscopic vs open adrenalectomy for benign adrenal neoplasm

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) performed for benign adrenal neoplasm to the open procedure in a similar group of patients. Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent LA between June 1996 and February 1999 were evaluated. Data analysis included patient's age and gender, indication for surgery, histological diagnosis, size of specimen, comorbid conditions, length of stay and ileus, postoperative narcotic consumption, and time to return to normal activity. The results were compared retrospectively to a well-matched group of patients who underwent an open adrenalectomy (OA). Results: Twenty-eight LA were performed in 24 patients for the following disorders: adrenocortical adenoma, 16 (four Cushing's syndrome, 12 Conn's syndrome); pheochromocytoma, 10; and nonfunctioning tumor, two. These cases were compared with a well-matched group of 28 patients who underwent OA in the same department. There were two conversions to open surgery (7%) in the laparoscopic group and no deaths in either group. Of all the evaluated parameters, the following statistically significant differences between the two groups were noted: The mean operative time was longer in the LA group (188 vs 139 min, p < 0.001.); however, this became insignificant in the last 10 cases of LA, when the mean length of surgery was reduced to 130 min. The overall morbidity was lower in the LA group (16% vs 39%, p = 0.05), as was the mean time to tolerate a regular diet (2 vs 3.9 days), mean meperidine consumption (mg) (109 vs 209), mean length of stay (4 vs 7.5 days), and mean time to return to normal activity (2.2 vs 5.2 weeks), (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: LA for benign adrenal disorders is a safe procedure that is associated with significantly lower morbidity, shorter ileus and hospitalization, reduced postoperative pain, and a faster return to normal activity than the open procedure.     

Eight-year experience with transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenal surgery

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently the technique of choice for removing benign adrenal lesions. Various laparoscopic techniques and approaches have been reported using the transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach. We present our 8-year experience with and long-term results of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 1992 and October 2000, 161 laparoscopic approaches to the adrenal gland were performed, including 145 unilateral and 10 bilateral adrenalectomies, and 6 conservative operations. Patients were placed in the 60-degree flank position with the bed flexed to increase the surgical field. To avoid hypertensive crisis, especially in patients with pheochromocytoma, the first step involved early ligation of the adrenal vein. RESULTS: The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed in all except 4 cases, which were converted to open surgery. Mean operative time was 160 minutes in the unilateral, 245 in the bilateral and 90 in the conservative group. Delayed complications included hemoperitoneum in 3 patients, which was drained surgically, severe blood loss in 3 treated with blood transfusion and wound infection in 2. Patients were ambulatory on the morning of postoperative day 1 and were discharged home 2.8, 5 and 1.8 days after unilateral, bilateral and conservative surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy is a safe, effective, minimally invasive approach in patients with benign functioning or nonfunctioning adrenal masses. This technique involves low morbidity, minimal postoperative analgesic requirements and a short hospital stay.     

Laparoscopic resection of large adrenal tumors

Background The maximum size of adrenal tumors that should be removed with a laparoscopic approach is controversial. It has been suggested that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is appropriate only for adrenal tumors <6 cm in size. We report our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with adrenal tumors of ≥6 cm compared with patients with smaller tumors. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients who had a laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Patients were considered candidates for laparoscopic adrenalectomy if their computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-encapsulated tumor confined to the adrenal gland. Results Sixty laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed in 53 patients. Twelve of the adrenalectomies (20%) were for tumors that were ≥6 cm (median, 8 cm; range, 6 to 12 cm). There have been no local or regional recurrences but one patient with adrenocortical carcinoma developed pulmonary metastases. When the 12 patients with large tumors were compared with the 36 patients with tumors <6 cm, the median operative time (190 vs. 180 minutes;P=.32), operative blood loss (100 vs. 50 mL;P=.53), and postoperative hospital stay (2 vs. 2 days;P=1.0) were similar. Conclusions The size of an adrenal tumor should not be the primary factor in determining whether a laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be performed. Large adrenal tumors that are confined to the adrenal gland on CT can be removed with a laparoscopic approach.     

Indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumor with hypertension: Usefulness of adrenocortical scintigraphy

AIM: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently indicated for biochemically and clinically functional adrenal tumors and potentially malignant tumors of the adrenal glands. Non-functional adenomas greater than 5 cm in diameter of the adrenal gland are generally considered to represent potentially malignant tumors. The present study shows indications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors with hypertension in a retrospective fashion. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2004, 110 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed at Tokushima University Hospital. All 110 patients underwent detailed endocrinological examination before surgery. Medical and operative records of these 110 patients (57 men, 53 women), including operative parameters, histopathological findings and pre- and postoperative hypertension, were reviewed. Forty-five patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors, and [(131)I]6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3beta-ol (NP-59) scintigraphy was performed for patients with preoperative hypertension. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 55.0 years (range, 22-77 years). Mean maximum tumor diameter was 42 mm (range, 20-105 mm). All adrenal tumors were removed successfully by laparoscopic surgery. Hypertension was postoperatively improved in seven of the 11 patients with preoperative hypertension, without subclinical Cushing syndrome. Importantly, all patients who improved hypertension after adrenalectomy displayed strong accumulation in adrenal tumors with visualization of the contralateral gland on NP-59 scintigraphy. Conversely, blood pressure did not improve in four patients for whom scintigraphy yielded negative results. CONCLUSIONS: The indication of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for non-functional adrenal tumors is generally considered for lesions more than 5 cm diameter. However, the present study suggests that laparoscopic surgery should be considered even in patients with tumors less than 5 cm in diameter, if both hypertension and accumulation in tumors on NP-59 scintigraphy are present.     

Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy according to tumor size

Objectives: In order to evaluate the indication and usefulness of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, clinical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for patients with adrenal tumors were examined. Whether tumor size affects surgical outcome was analysed, along with the long-term clinical outcome for these patients.
Patients and methods: A total of 63 patients with adrenal tumor underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our institute between 1999 and 2003. A laparoscopic transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. Underlying pathologies comprised Cushing syndrome ( n  = 12), pheochromocytoma ( n  = 13), primary aldosteronism ( n  = 21), non-functioning adenoma ( n  = 12) and others ( n  = 5).
Results: No open conversion was performed. Mean operative duration was 239 min, and mean estimated blood loss was 134 mL. Tumor diameter was significantly smaller for primary aldosteronism than for Cushing syndrome, which in turn was significantly smaller than for adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH). No significant differences in surgical outcome and postoperative recovery were noted between large (≥5 cm) and small (<5 cm) tumors. Long-term clinical outcome was better for patients with pheochromocytoma or primary aldosteronism than for patients with Cushing syndrome.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign tumor offers excellent surgical outcomes and convalescence. This is true for both small and large tumors.     

Trans- and retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy: experience in 26 consecutive adrenalectomies

OBJECTIVE: To assess our current concept and results of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TPLA) and retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy (ERA) for a variety of benign disorders of the adrenal glands. BACKGROUND DATA: According to the literature, minimal invasive adrenalectomy has shown to be a safe and effective surgical alternative to open adrenalectomy. Both, transperitoneal and retroperitoneal endoscopic minimal invasive access are currently used for surgical removal of benign adrenal tumors. There is still some debate about the indications and the access used for a minimal invasive approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treatment and clinical outcome of all patients who underwent either transperitoneal laparoscopic or endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomies for benign diseases from February 1997 to August 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-six minimal invasive adrenalectomies were performed in 23 patients with a mean age of 57 years. Whereas 11 patients underwent unilateral right- sided ERA, unilateral TPLA was performed in 9 patients on the left side. Three patients had bilateral TPLA. The mean operating time for unilateral ERA and TPLA was 114 and 79 min, respectively. Bilateral TPLA was prolonged to 223 min operating time. There were only two minor postoperative complications. The mean hospital stay for unilateral TPLA, ERA and bilateral TPLA was 4.7, 5 and 6 days, respectively. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Both, ERA and TPLA are safe and clinically effective treatment modalities for benign disorders of the adrenal glands. We currently favor a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach for bilateral and left-sided adrenal tumors, whereas right-sided tumors <8 cm are removed by a retroperitoneal approach. Large right-sided tumors >8 cm are better removed by transperitoneal access.     

Technique and results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy

The aim of this report is to evaluate the benefits of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in terms of perioperative morbidity, complications and patients recuperation. We reviewed our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 47 consecutive patients who underwent adrenalectomy over a 4-year period. We used the lateral transperitoneal approach in all cases. The indications for adrenalectomy were Conn's adenoma in 24 patients, pheochromocytoma in 11, Cushing's syndrome in 3 and incidental adrenal tumour in 9. The average duration of surgery was 130 min (range, 60-300 min) and average adrenal gland size was 3.4 cm (range, 1.2-8 cm). Conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy was necessary in three patients (6.4%), and postoperative complications occurred in two patients. There was no mortality. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be considered the method of choice for managing almost all adrenal masses, because of its low morbidity and short postoperative recovery. The main difficulty is to identify the adrenal gland, so several technical procedures are suggested.     

后腹腔镜治疗肾上腺疾病43例报告

目的:探讨后腹腔镜手术切除肾上腺病变的适应证、手术方法及效果。方法:对43例肾上腺病变患者行后腹腔镜肾上腺病变切除术。肾上腺肿瘤39例(库兴综合征14例,嗜铬细胞瘤6例,原发性醛固酮增多症11例,无功能腺瘤7例,肾上腺神经节细胞瘤1例),肾上腺囊肿4例。结果:43例手术除1例改为开放手术外,余均获得成功,手术时间为35~60min,平均为50min。术中出血70~130ml,平均95ml。患者术后第2天下床活动并进流质饮食;引流管于术后2~4天拔除,无大出血、皮下气肿等并发症;平均住院时间9天。问卷调查,患者均于术后7~20天(平均14天)恢复正常生活。结论:后腹腔镜肾上腺切除术是一种微创、安全、有效、恢复快的术式,应成为肾上腺良性疾病的首选手术方法。     

Laparoskopische Adrenalektomie in Seitenlage – ein Vergleich mit der konventionellen dorsalen Technik

OBJECTIVES: Minimal invasive techniques are gaining more and more acceptance in adrenal gland surgery. In a matched case control study laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy in the lateral position (LA) was compared to the conventional open dorsal technique (DA) with resection of the 11th or 12th rib. METHODS: Between July 1998 and March 2000, 26 LA in 24 patients (two bilateral) were prospectively documented and compared to 25 DA in 23 matched patients (two bilateral), who had been operated on between January 1995 and June 1998. Indications for adrenalectomy in all patients were benign adrenal lesions < 6 cm. RESULTS: Age, gender, average tumor size (3.5 cm/3.6 cm) and tumor types (Conn adenoma: 10/7; Cushing: 8/7, including 2 bilateral in each group; pheochromocytoma: 3/6, incidentaloma: 2/2; others: 3/3) were distributed in both groups (LA/DA) without statistical differences. However, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were present (LA vs DA) comparing intraoperative blood loss (200 vs 360 ml), postoperative narcotic equivalents (1.1 vs 6.2), morbidity (8 vs 30%), and length of hospital stay (5.5 vs 9 days). Average operating time was significantly longer in LA (130 vs 105 min), but decreased during the last LA cases to the DA level. One LA had to be converted to open surgery due to diffuse bleeding. Following LA we observed two minor complications (small retroperitoneal hematoma, nerve irritation below the 12th rib); following DA there were 6 minor (2 dorsal subcutaneous hematomas, 2 nerve irritations, dystelectasis, pleural effusion) and one major complication (wound infection). CONCLUSION: LA represents a safe procedure with all the common advantages of minimal access surgery. Based on our experience and that of others, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the gold standard for adrenalectomy in most cases of benign adrenal disease. As adrenal surgery is rare, at present LA should be restricted to centers with a special interest in endocrine and laparoscopic surgery.     

腹腔镜切除5～10 cm肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤的安全性分析

目的 探讨5～10 cm肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤腹腔镜切除术的安全性. 方法 2001年1月至2007年6月在北京大学第一医院泌尿外科行肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤切除的连续79例患者中肿瘤最大径5～10 cm者共41例,回顾分析其临床资料.腹腔镜组11例(其中2例中转开放,数据分析时排除在外),开放手术组30例.应用t检验、Mann-Whitney U检验对两组患者的临床资料及围手术期数据进行分析. 结果 两组患者年龄、肿瘤最大径、术前最高收缩压及舒张压、术前心率、血儿茶酚胺水平的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).腹腔镜组均经腹膜后途径.开放手术组经腹腔途径11例,经腹膜后途径19例.两组患者手术时间分别为(132±54)min和(178±64)min;术中出血量分别为100 ml(0～800 m1)和450 ml(0～9500 ml);术后住院时间分别为(7±2)d和(9±4)d,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).腹腔镜组术中均未输血,开放手术组术中输血量的中位值为225 ml(0～3800 ml).2组患者术中最高血压、最低血压、最快心率、最慢心率、收缩压增加基础血压30%的次数、收缩压≥200 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)次数、收缩压≤90 mm Hg次数、心率≥110次/min次数、心率≤50次/min次数的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).两组患者引流量、拔管时间、住ICU时间、术后开始进食时间、住院费用差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 腹腔镜切除5～10 cm肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤的手术时间、术中出血量、术中输血量、术后住院日较开放手术有优势,且术中血压、心率波动等指标不高于开放手术.因此,5～10 cm的肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤不是腹腔镜的绝对禁忌,经验丰富的术者可以考虑开展腹腔镜手术切除较大肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤.     

腹腔镜肾上腺巨大肿瘤切除术临床分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜肾上腺巨大肿瘤切除术的临床可行性及意义。方法:应用经腹腔途径为45例肾上腺肿瘤患者行腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术。术前均经B超、CT或MRI等相关影像学检查初步确诊。45例患者分为2组,32例肾上腺肿瘤直径5cm(A组),13例肿瘤直径5cm(B组)。观察2组患者手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、中转开放率及围手术期并发症等情况。术后常规随访,定期行B超及胸片检查。结果:45例均顺利完成腹腔镜手术,平均手术时间(A组58.6min,B组86.7min)、术中平均出血(A组31.6ml,B组84.3ml)两组差异均有统计学意义(P0.01);中转开放手术A组3例(9%),B组1例(8%),两组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。B组术中1例需输血;术后平均住院A组5.2d,B组5.7d,两组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后患者均顺利康复。结论:与腹腔镜较小肾上腺肿瘤(5cm)切除术相比,腹腔镜巨大肾上腺肿瘤(5cm)切除术手术时间长,术中出血多,但住院时间及围手术期并发症无显著差异。只要术者具备娴熟的腹腔镜操作技巧及充分的临床经验,腹腔镜较大肾上腺肿瘤切除术切实可行。     

Laparoscopic anterior adrenalectomy for the treatment of adrenal metastases

Aim of this study was to evaluate the results in 6 patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the treatment of solitary adrenal gland metastases. One hundred forty-five patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy by transperitoneal anterior approach. In 6 patients the indication was the presence of a solitary adrenal gland metastasis. Primary tumors were the following: truncal melanoma, gastric cancer, renal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Mean age was 57 years (range 44-70 years). Three patients underwent right adrenalectomy and 3 patients a left adrenalectomy. No conversion to open surgery occurred. No mortality or intraoperative complications were observed. Mean operative time was 103 minutes (range 70-150) for right adrenalectomy and 170 minutes (range 90-280) for left adrenalectomy. No postoperative complications occurred. Mean diameter of the tumor was 3.5 cm (range 2-5 cm). Tumor free margins were obtained in every case. Mean hospital stay was 2 days (range 2-3 days). At follow-up, 2 patients have died of systemic dissemination of the disease, one 15 months and one 24 months after the operation. The remaining 4 patients are alive and disease free at a mean follow-up of 7 months (range 4-11 months). So far, no port site metastases or local recurrence have been observed. In our experience adrenal gland metastasis can be treated safely and effectively by the laparoscopic transperitoneal anterior approach.