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.     

Comparison of laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy--a Singapore experience

OBJECTIVE: We present our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign adrenal diseases and compare clinical outcomes with the conventional open approach. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2001, two consecutive series of patients who underwent adrenalectomy for small, benign adrenal diseases were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with large tumours(> 7 cm), cancer and phaeochromocytoma were excluded. Fifty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy and 48 patients had open surgery for benign adrenal diseases. Perioperative and postoperative records of both approaches were reviewed. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in terms of patient age, sex, weight and side of lesion.The common indications for surgery were Conn's syndrome and Cushing's syndrome. The sizes of tumour were comparable between the laparoscopic and open groups (mean, 2.1 cm vs 2.4 cm). Despite the longer operating time (mean, 128 minutes vs 87 minutes), the postoperative morbidity, parenteral analgesic requirement and length of postoperative hospital stay (3.2 days vs 7.2 days) were less inpatients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Patients also enjoyed earlier return to oral intake and ambulation. There were fewer complications in the laparoscopic group. There was no conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe and has become the treatment of choice for small, benign adrenal lesions at our institution.     

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.     

Iatrogenic pheochromocytomatosis: a previously unreported result of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now regarded as the procedure of choice for treatment of small or benign adrenal tumors, including pheochromocytoma. However, long-term outcomes have not been critically assessed. We report here 3 cases of pheochromocytomatosis recurring 3 to 4 years after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We postulate laparoscopic-induced seeding of tumor as the mechanism of recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 3 patients with documented biochemical and radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine evidence of recurrent pheochromocytoma after prior presumed curative laparoscopic adrenalectomy. RESULTS: Original pheochromocytomas were 5.5 to 6.5 cm in diameter. At the time of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, tumors were not believed to be malignant, based on clinical or histopathologic data. However, on 3- to 4-year follow-up, each patient developed symptoms, elevated urinary catecholamine levels, and metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging consistent with recurrence. At reoperation, multiple small tumor nodules were found in the adrenal bed near the site of the initial laparoscopic resection. The original operative notes suggested some possible method of local seeding: tumor fragmentation and spillage or excessive tumor manipulation. CONCLUSIONS: Pheochromocytoma recurrence may occur as a result of local spillage of tumor during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The relative risk of recurrence between open and laparoscopic resection needs to be assessed. Long-term follow-up will continue to be important, regardless of operative approach.     

Contemporary surgical management of pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND: The availability of laparoscopic adrenalectomy led us to review our experience and management of adrenal and extraadrenal pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Seventeen patients undergoing pheochromocytoma resection from January 1997 to August 2001 were categorized as open, laparoscopic, or laparoscopic assisted depending on the surgical approach. Hospital records were reviewed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in patient age, weight or preoperative blockade. Operative times for open, laparoscopic, and laparoscopic assisted adrenalectomies were 202, 218, and 260 minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 562 cc, 187 cc, and 925 cc. The average hospital length of stay was 6.2, 3.0, and 5.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic removal resulted in longer operative times than open, but less operative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. The laparoscopic assisted approach did not save time nor did it lead to earlier discharge. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was comparable to the open approach, and is preferential in tumors less than 6 cm. An open approach remains our choice for larger or extraadrenal tumors.     

THE CASE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY

PURPOSE: The current status of laparoscopic adrenal surgery was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A current MEDLINE search revealed 308 articles pertaining to laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal gland. Based on this literature review laparoscopic surgical anatomy, current indications and contraindications, and laparoscopic techniques were identified. The role of laparoscopic surgery for various adrenal disorders, including aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, incidentaloma and adrenal cancer, were evaluated. Studies specifically comparing open versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the financial implications of laparoscopy were evaluated. Furthermore, newer advances in the minimally invasive management of surgical adrenal disease were identified. RESULTS: Available data from multiple institutions imply that laparoscopic adrenal surgery is safe and efficacious for aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's disease and incidentaloma. Compared to open surgery laparoscopy provides equally effective treatment, while minimizing patient morbidity. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is financially superior to open adrenalectomy. For adrenal cancer open surgery currently remains the treatment of choice. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of patients with surgical adrenal disease except those with adrenal cancer laparoscopy may now be considered an established treatment modality.     

后腹腔镜手术切除肾上腺肿瘤(附80例报告)

目的:探讨应用后腹腔镜术切除肾上腺肿瘤的疗效和安全性.方法:应用后腹腔镜手术切除肾上腺肿瘤80例:功能性肾上腺肿瘤56例,非功能性肾上腺肿瘤24例.用自制的气囊扩张后腹腔,腰部3个Trocar穿刺入路,超声刀将肿瘤切除,用自制的标本袋取出肿瘤.结果:80例中73例完全由腹腔镜手术完成,7例因术中粘连、出血等改开放手术.术中出血量10～500 ml,平均70 ml.患者均未输血.76例随访3～48个月,平均8个月,未见肿瘤复发和转移,血电解质、儿茶酚胺、醛固酮、皮质醇等肾上腺内分泌检查均恢复正常;但12例仍有高血压.结论:应用后腹腔镜术切除肾上腺肿瘤安全、创伤小、恢复快,对肾上腺恶性肿瘤主张行开放手术.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: evaluation of experience and strategy at a single institute

OBJECTIVE

To assess the utility, safety and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for pheochromocytoma. We reviewed our experience, focusing on surgical outcomes compared with our historical open adrenalectomy (OA) and modifications in surgical procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1997 and 2007, 23 patients with pheochromocytoma underwent LA at our institution. As controls, 18 patients undergoing OA were examined retrospectively. In the first cases of LA, we used an abdominal wall‐lifting device with low pneumoperitoneal pressure and initial ligation of the adrenal vein. In subsequent cases, we adopted similar methods to those we perform for other benign adrenal tumours, including a ‘regular’ pneumoperitoneal pressure, and disconnection of the adrenal vein as the last step of tumour dissection.

RESULTS

Rates of hypertension crisis (systolic blood pressure (sBP) of >200 mmHg) and sudden hypotension subsequent to ligation of the adrenal vein (sBP of <80 mmHg) were 17% and 48% in the LA group, and 44% and 72% in the OA group, respectively. Instability of blood pressure was not amplified by the modifications in surgical procedures of laparoscopy. The groups were comparable for operative duration. The intraoperative blood loss among LA patients in whom adrenalectomy was completed laparoscopically was significantly less than that among OA patients, at a median (range) of 70 (10–530) mL vs 400 (10–990) mL (P < 0.001). However, four LA patients with conversion to open surgery had severe blood loss. Regarding postoperative complications and convalescence, the LA group had more favourable outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic removal of pheochromocytoma can be safely and feasibly accomplished by surgical approaches similar to those used for other pathological conditions of the adrenal gland. However, conversion to open surgery should be considered in cases with unexpected difficulty in dissection, invasion or adhesion.     

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.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for malignant lesions: surgical principles to improve oncologic outcomes

Background

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the treatment of choice for benign adrenal lesions. Size of the lesion and radiologic features define the risk for malignancy. In lesions at high risk of malignancy, the experience with the laparoscopic approach is limited and therefore controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and oncological safety of LA for malignant disease.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected database. All LA performed in our department from 2003 to 2011 were reviewed and demographic, perioperative, and follow-up data for those who had malignancy in the final histological report was analyzed. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (range).

Results

Of 121 LA, we identified 20 patients with 21 malignant adrenal pathologies: 11 primary tumors, 5 adrenocortical carcinoma, 5 large B cell lymphoma, and 1 leiomyosarcoma. Ten metastatic lesions included 5 malignant melanoma (1 patient, both sides), 4 adenocarcinoma, and 1 renal cell carcinoma. There was no conversion to laparotomy. Tumor size was 4.5 (1–9.5) cm, operative duration was 79 (42–262) min, and estimated blood loss was 40 (0–250) ml. All patients resumed regular diet on postoperative day 1, and the median length of stay was 2 days after surgery. Two patients died at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Three patients were lost to follow-up. All the rest of the patients were disease-free at a follow-up of 58 (7–96) months.

Conclusions

LA for primary or metastatic malignant lesions is feasible and seems oncologically safe. Surgical principles should be the same for all LA: en bloc resection of all epinephric fat, minimal touch technique, and low threshold for conversion. Size of the lesion alone should not be an indication for open surgery.     

Bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the gold standard in the surgical management of adrenal pathology. Bilateral adrenalectomy is indicated in patients with Cushing's disease secondary to macroadenoma or hypophysial hyperplasia in whom medical treatment and transsphenoid surgery have failed. Also, it is the first choice for bilateral benign tumors and metastatic neoplasia. We present our experience with bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy, analyzing its indications, feasibility, results, and complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1999 and December 2005, 221 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed by the same surgeon (OAC) at our institution. Of the 221 adrenalectomies, 44 were bilateral. A total of 20 patients underwent bilateral synchronic laparoscopic adrenalectomy (91%); the remaining 2 had two-stage procedures. There were 6 cases of bilateral pheochromocytoma, 6 patients with Cushing's disease, 3 cases of metastasis, 3 congenital adrenal hyperplasias, 2 hyperaldosteronisms, and a single case each of adrenal adenoma and myelolipoma. The average patient age was 41.6 years (range 17-72 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 1:2.6. RESULTS: Total laparoscopic adrenalectomy and partial adrenalectomy were performed on 37 and 7 occasions (84% and 16%), respectively. The mean tumor size was 4.15 cm (range 1-11 cm). The mean operative time for each adrenalectomy was 79.2 minutes (range 25-210 minutes). The estimated intraoperative blood loss was on average 65.4 mL (range 0-500 mL). Only one patient required a blood transfusion. There was only one intraoperative complication (2.2%), a renal-vein injury that was controlled with intracorporeal suturing. There were no open conversions. The mean hospital stay was 3.19 days (range 2-5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is technically feasible and can be performed with minimal bleeding in a reasonable surgical time.     

Experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in pediatric patients

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is now being recognized as the standard in the management of benign adrenal pathology in adult patients. Few reports have described the use of this technique in pediatric patients. This study combines experience from 2 institutions with lateral transperitoneal LA in children to analyze our results and the clinical and biochemical response to laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with hormonally active adrenal tumors. Methods: A bi-institutional retrospective review of all patients undergoing LA between January 1997 and January 2001 was performed. Clinical and biochemical data were obtained during routine follow-up. Results: Seventeen laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed during this period. The average operating time was 120 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 25 mL, the mean size of the adrenal lesion was 4.8 cm, and the mean length of hospitalization was 35 hours. Resolution of clinical and biochemical parameters of adrenal hyperfunction was accomplished in all patients with adrenocortical hyperplasia and pheochromocytoma in postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed safely and effectively with a short hospital stay, minimal blood loss, and excellent functional outcome in this age group. The authors believe laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an excellent approach for the management of benign pediatric adrenal pathology. J Pediatr Surg 37:979-982.     

Is laparoscopic adrenalectomy safe and effective for adrenal masses larger than 7 cm?

Background Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the gold standard treatment for small (less than 6 cm) adrenal masses. However, the role of LA for large-volume (more than 6 cm) masses has not been well defined. Our aim was to evaluate, retrospectively, the outcome of LA for adrenal lesions larger than 7 cm. Patients and methods 18 consecutive laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed from 1996 to 2005 on patients with adrenal lesions larger than 7 cm. Results The mean tumor size was 8.3 cm (range 7–13 cm), the mean operative time was 137 min, the mean blood loss was 182 mL (range 100–550 mL), the rate of intraoperative complications was 16%, and in three cases we switched from laparoscopic procedure to open surgery. Conclusions LA for adrenal masses larger than 7 cm is a safe and feasible technique, offering successful outcome in terms of intraoperative and postoperative morbidity, hospital stay and cosmesis for patients; it seems to replicate open surgical oncological principles demonstrating similar outcomes as survival rate and recurrence rate, when adrenal cortical carcinoma were treated. The main contraindication for this approach is the evidence, radiologically and intraoperatively, of local infiltration of periadrenal tissue.     

腹腔镜下切除无症状、生化正常的肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤12例报告

目的:探讨无症状、生化检查正常的肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤的诊治原则。方法:回顾分析12例无症状、生化检查正常的肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤患者的临床资料,术前口服酚苄明1～2周,充分扩容,行腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术,其中经腰2例,经腹10例。结果:12例患者术中挤压肿瘤时血压均波动明显,手术一期完成,未发生大出血、心脑血管意外等严重并发症,无一例中转开放手术。术后病理均诊断为肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤。随访6～36个月,血压正常,无复发。结论:无症状、生化检查正常的肾上腺肿瘤临床多见,术前按嗜铬细胞瘤进行准备,充分扩容后行腹腔镜手术是安全、有效的。     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Laparoscopy has dramatically changed the surgical approach to the adrenal gland. An increasing body of literature attests to the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for various benign adrenal disorders: aldosteroma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's disease, and the incidental adrenal mass. Although laparoscopy is being cautiously applied for small, solitary adrenal metastasis, open surgery remains the treatment of choice for primary adrenal cancer. Based on the current worldwide results, as presented in this review, it seems reasonable to conclude that, for the majority of patients with benign surgical adrenal disease, laparoscopic surgery is now the gold standard treatment.     

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.     

Applicability and outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been shown to be as safe and effective as conventional open surgery for small and benign adrenal lesions. With increasing experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy, this approach has become the procedure of choice for the majority of patients requiring adrenalectomy, although careful selection of patients accounts for the favourable clinical outcome observed. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was adopted as the procedure of choice for patients requiring adrenalectomy in our institution in 1995. From 1995 to 2001, 82 consecutive patients underwent adrenalectomies for various adrenal pathologies. The laparoscopic approach was used for 60 of these patients, whose selection was based on the preoperative size and/or benign nature of the adrenal lesion. The procedures were successfully performed in 57 patients (54 unilateral, 3 bilateral), while three (5%) patients required conversion to open surgery. There was no hospital mortality and complications occurred in two (3%) patients. The median hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2-8 days) and analgesic requirement was minimal. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be done for all patients with small and benign adrenal pathologies, and has become the gold standard for patients undergoing adrenalectomies. When successfully performed, the laparoscopic approach offers the advantages of a minimally invasive procedure with improved patient comfort and faster postoperative recovery.     

Clinical outcomes and learning curve of a laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 103 consecutive cases at a single institute

OBJECTIVE: We examined the clinical outcomes and the learning curve for a laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) in 103 consecutive cases performed by three surgeons at our institute, according to the type of adrenal disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and three patients with adrenal tumors, including 38 cases of primary aldosteronism, 33 cases of Cushing syndrome (including preclinical Cushing syndrome), 15 cases of pheochromocytoma, and nine cases of non-functioning adenoma were evaluated, while focusing on the approaches, intraoperative and postoperative data, and the learning curve of LA, according the type of adrenal disorder. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the operation time, estimated blood loss, incidence of conversion to open surgery and blood transfusion, or postoperative recovery among the patients treated by LA for aldosteronoma, Cushing adenoma, pheochromocytoma, and non-functioning adenoma. In the cases of aldosteronoma and Cushing adenoma, the learning curve for the operation time and blood loss in each operator tended to decrease as the number of operations increased. On the other hand, in the cases treated by LA for pheochromocytoma, no trends in either the operation time or blood loss were observed. However, there has been neither any conversion to open surgery nor blood transfusion in cases treated by LA since 1998 (our 42nd case), even after the changes in the operators. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly indicate that LA is becoming safer than before, probably due to improvements in the technique, education, and training of surgeons, in addition to the increased number of cases now treated by LA.     

Applicability of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a prospective study in 150 consecutive patients

HYPOTHESIS: Within a decade, laparascopic adrenalectomy has become the new "gold standard" for the surgical treatment of most adrenal lesions. Designed as a single-center project focused on patients with adrenal lesions, this study should provide an indication of the number of patients requiring surgery who can safely undergo laparoscopy, after consideration of such selection criteria as tumor size and benign or malignant lesion status at magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the access-related complications were analyzed. DESIGN: According to a prospective protocol, 150 consecutive patients selected for adrenal surgery were assigned to transperitoneal endoscopic or open adrenalectomy. SETTING: University hospital section of endocrine surgery. RESULTS: One hundred two patients (68%) were selected for a laparoscopic approach that had to be converted to open surgery in 5 patients (5%). Two malignant cortisol-secreting lesions were operated on laparoscopically because of their small size and benign appearance at magnetic resonance imaging. During histological examination, 14 (29%) of 48 patients assigned to transperitoneal open adrenalectomy had lesions deemed malignant (16 [11%] of 150 patients). The laparoscopic group had significantly fewer complications (9%) than did the open group (21%; P =.04). CONCLUSIONS: By applying defined selection criteria for the treatment of adrenal lesions, transperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy can be a safe procedure and may be performed in at least two thirds of patients. The choice of endoscopic or open approach in larger tumors should depend on the results of preoperative imaging studies and the endocrine surgeon's experience in endoscopic adrenal surgery.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma in children: a report of 6 cases

Neuroblastoma, a neoplasm of the sympathetic nervous system, is the most common solid extracranial tumor of childhood. Complete tumor resection has been shown to improve outcomes in both low- and high-risk neuroblastoma. The efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for metastatic lesions, benign tumors, and small neuroblastomas (<20 mm in diameter) is well established. However, the role of LA for large neuroblastomas is unclear. The authors describe the technical aspects of LA in 6 children with adrenal neuroblastomas greater than 2 cm and summarize their outcomes.All 6 patients underwent successful LA with removal of their tumors and surrounding lymph nodes. The specimens were placed in a laparoscopic specimen retrieval bag and morsulated in situ. The pathologic specimens were adequate for biologic factor analysis and histology. Mean operative time for all cases was 146 minutes. The average size of the adrenal tumors resected was 3.3 × 3.7 × 3.3 cm, and there were no intraoperative or perioperative deaths. All children, except the fifth patient who stayed for chemotherapy, were discharged home within 48 hours after surgery and are well.Our preliminary data suggest LA is a safe treatment option for neuroblastoma tumors greater than 2 cm in the select children.