后腹腔镜手术切除巨大肾上腺肿瘤

目的探讨后腹腔镜手术切除巨大（≥6cm）肾上腺肿瘤的可行性。方法2002年6月～2008年6月对30例直径≥6cm巨大肾上腺肿瘤行后腹腔镜切除手术。采用健侧卧位,用自制的气囊扩张后腹腔,分别在腋后线肋缘下、腋中线髂嵴上2cm及腋前线肋缘下穿刺,置入trocar。肿瘤切除后用标本袋取出肿瘤,留置引流管。结果30例后腹腔镜手术成功,无中转开放手术。平均手术时间100min（65～185min）,术中出血量平均80ml（50～250ml）。30例术后随访3～36个月,平均18.5月,无局部复发。结论对于无明显禁忌证的肿瘤,后腹腔镜手术切除巨大肾上腺肿瘤可行、安全,肿瘤直径并不是手术的决定性因素。     

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.     

经腹膜后入路腹腔镜下肾上腺血管瘤切除术的临床经验分享

目的:总结经腹膜后入路腹腔镜下肾上腺血管瘤切除术的手术经验。方法:回顾分析2014年5月至2016年12月收治的5例术后病理证实肾上腺血管瘤患者的临床资料,其中男1例,女4例,中位年龄42(27~67)岁;中位肿瘤直径3.5(2.4~4.5)cm,左侧2例,右侧3例;术前CT提示5例肿瘤均为囊实性、边界清,2例肿瘤内可见明显多处钙化。5例患者均行后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术。结果:5例手术均顺利完成,无一例中转开放,术中、术后无严重并发症发生。中位手术时间65(50~90)min,术中出血量<50 mL,术后中位住院时间4(3~6)d;术后病理结果提示,5例均为肾上腺血管瘤;术后中位随访时间15(9~36)个月,患者恢复情况良好,无激素不足等症状出现,随访期间均未见肿瘤局部复发。结论:肾上腺血管瘤是较罕见的肾上腺良性肿瘤,术前影像学检查明确困难,术后病理为金标准。后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术治疗肾上腺血管瘤可行、安全、有效,值得临床推广应用。     

复发肾上腺肿瘤患者行经腹腹腔镜手术的技巧

目的 探讨经腹腹腔镜手术治疗复发肾上腺肿瘤的手术疗效和技巧. 方法 我院于2013年10月至2017年1月采用腹腔镜技术治疗复发肾上腺肿瘤患者12例,其中男5例,女7例.年龄25~68岁,平均51岁.术前CT提示左侧7例,右侧5例.12例中原发性醛固酮增多症8例、嗜铬细胞瘤2例、肾上腺皮质癌2例.除1例肾上腺皮质癌患者既往接受左侧开放11肋间切口术式外,其余11例患者既往均为后腹腔镜手术入路.本次手术均在全麻下进行,12例患者均采用健侧卧位经腹腔途径结肠旁沟入路,8例采用普通腹腔镜肾上腺切除术,4例采用机器人辅助腹腔镜肾上腺切除术. 结果 12例手术均获成功,无1例中转开放.肾上腺肿瘤大小1.0~8.0 cm,平均3.5 cm.手术时间25~93 min,平均48 min.术中出血量30~200 ml,平均115 ml,术中均未输血.术后住院时间4~10 d,平均5.7 d.术后随访2~38个月,仅1例肾上腺皮质癌患者术后1年出现复发,其余患者均未见肿瘤复发. 结论 复发肾上腺肿瘤因原手术区域粘连、解剖异常等具有一定的手术难度,再次手术时选择不同的手术径路,可最大限度避开原手术粘连部位.对于体积较大的复发肾上腺肿瘤,机器人辅助腹腔镜手术不失为一种创伤小、安全可靠、疗效确切的手术方法.     

Adrenal incidentalomas: Surgical treatment in 28 patients and update of the literature

Introduction: Adrenal masses discovered by imaging techniques for reasons unrelated to adrenal diseases are called adrenal incidentalomas (AI). The aim of this study was to find out the clinical outcome of 28 patients operated for incidentally discovered adrenal mass and to update the literature concerning this topic. Patients and methods: From September 1976 to December 1999 we operated on 28 patients for adrenal incidentaloma. Adrenal masses were unilateral in 25 cases and bilateral in 5. Average age was 57 years (range 10–73). Hormonal study was performed in all patients. All patients underwent adrenalectomy by the transabdominal subcostal approach. Results: Histopathology assessed the adrenal masses as primary in 19 patients and secondary in 9. 24-hour urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) excretion was elevated in 2 patients. Adrenal insufficiency was detected in 1 case. Average tumor diameter resulted 5.8 cm (range 2–17). Histopathologic features of primary adrenal masses included pheochromocytoma in 5 cases,cysts in 4, myelolipomas in 3, nodular hyperplasia in 2,tuberculous mass in 1, cortical adenoma in 1, extra-bone marrow hemopoiesis in 1, cortical carcinoma in 1 and neuroendocrine tumor of the adrenal medulla in 1. The 9 adrenal metastasis resulted by renal cell carcinoma in 7 patients, urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract in 1 and primary renal lymphoma in 1. Average follow-up was 68 months (range 6–246). Patients alive were 18 (64%), deal 10 (36%). Of the 19 patients with primary adrenal tumors 16 (84%) were alive and disease free and 3 (16%) died (1 for disease and 2 for reasons unrelated to the primary tumor). Of the 9 patients with adrenal metastasis 2(22%) were alive (1 disease free and 1 with progression of the disease) and 7 (78%) died for disease. Replacement therapy for adrenocortical hormones was given 5 patients. Conclusions:Management of AI need CT or MRI and hormonal investigation in order to detect malignancy and subclinical hypersecretory syndromes. Subclinical functional adrenal masses, single adrenal metastasis and primary nonhypersecretory adrenal tumors sized 4cm are treated by surgery. A close morpho-functional follow-up is indicated for primary adrenal incidentalomas when nonhypersecretory and smaller than 4 cm. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The role of resection in the management of melanoma metastatic to the adrenal gland

Melanoma metastatic to the adrenal gland diagnosed before death was exceedingly rare before the development of computed tomographic (CT) scanning. The records of 28 patients with melanoma metastatic to the adrenal gland seen since 1975 were reviewed. Eighteen patients were men and 10 were women. Twenty-three patients had unilateral disease. Four patients were diagnosed only at autopsy, leaving 24 for analysis of treatment and survival. Twenty-one patients had received specific active immunotherapy, four had received chemotherapy (dacarbazine, lomustin, bleomycin, and vincristine), and three had received both before the diagnosis of their adrenal disease. Adrenal metastases were diagnosed by CT scanning in 14 patients with symptoms, 10 (91%) of whom had pain. Ten patients were diagnosed by CT before entry into a chemotherapy protocol. Of eight patients who underwent resection of all known disease, five underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, two underwent unilateral adrenalectomy and bowel resection, and one underwent bilateral adrenalectomy. Two patients underwent partial resection of large unilateral tumors. Fourteen patients with adrenal metastases and disease elsewhere were initiated or continued with chemotherapy or were treated symptomatically. Mean survival in the group that underwent resection for cure was 59 months (3 to 112 months), whereas survival in the group with unresectable tumors was 15 months (1.5 to 132 months). Four of eight patients who underwent resection for cure lived more than 5 years after detection of adrenal metastasis, whereas in only one of 14 patients with unresectable tumors was the same true. Patients with metastatic melanoma localized to one or both adrenal glands may benefit from early detection and surgical intervention.     

肾癌根治术中切除肾上腺的适应证

目的:探讨行肾癌根治术时切除肾上腺的适应证.方法:对484例患者行肾癌根治术中,213例同时切除同侧肾上腺,2例切除对侧肾上腺,1例切除双侧肾上腺;270例保留同侧肾上腺.结果:216例切除肾上腺经病理检查,11例(5.1%)发现有肾上腺转移,4例肾上腺良性病变.11例转移病例中8例术前CT(MRI)提示有肾上腺转移,肾卜腺转移患者的肿瘤直径均值>8 cm;1例为T1期肿瘤,6例为T3期肿瘤,4例为T4期肿瘤.268例保留肾上腺组中,1例于术后14个月发现同侧肾上腺肿瘤转移,1例于术后28个月发现双侧肾上腺转移.结论:CT是肾癌术前诊断及术后随访的重要影像诊断方法;保留同侧肾上腺手术仅在肿瘤局限于肾内且直径≤4 cm才是安全的;怀疑对侧肾上腺有肿块时,均应手术探查.孤立的肾上腺转移,是肾上腺转移瘤切除术的适应证.     

Adrenalectomy for metastatic adrenal tumors

The indications for adrenalectomy in cases of metastatic adrenal tumor remain controversial. To clarify indications and outcomes of adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis, we performed a retrospective review of all 8 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis between 1990 and 2006 in Asahikawa Medical College Hospital. The Primary tumor was renal cell carcinoma in 2 cases, and eccrine poro carcinoma, rectal cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer and cancer of unknown origin in 1 case each. Open adrenalectomy was performed in all cases, including 1 case that was converted from laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Of the 4 patients with solitary adrenal metastasis, 3 were considered tumor-free after adrenalectomy, while the remaining patient was not due to unresectable primary tumor. Of the 3 patients with complete resection, one remained alive as of 88 months after adrenalectomy but was then lost to follow-up, and the other 2 patients remain alive 12 and 7 months after adrenalectomy. Of the 2 patients with other resectable metastasis who were tumor-free after removal of all metastases, one was alive 31 months postoperatively and the other died 23 months after operation. The remaining 2 cases with other unresectable metastasis died within 6 months after adrenalectomy. At least in cases of solitary adrenal metastasis, adrenalectomy can be effective if other valid methods are unavailable.     

Adrenal incidentaloma

Because of the frequent use of computed tomography and other abdominal imaging modalities, clinicians more frequently see the incidentally discovered, clinically silent adrenal mass. Most adrenal incidentalomas should be evaluated for hormonal activity and assessed for their risk of malignancy. Adrenalectomy is indicated for hyperfunctioning tumors and for any potential primary malignant adrenal lesion. Nonfunctioning cortical adenomas < 4 to 5 cm in size should be followed clinically and radiographically. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been used increasingly as the preferred approach in patients who require surgical resection whereas open adrenalectomy is reserved for patients with large, malignant tumors. The indications for adrenalectomy in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors should not be liberalized because of the laparoscopic approach.     

肾上腺偶发瘤的手术治疗(附47例报告)

目的：探讨肾上腺偶发瘤的手术治疗方式。方法：采用开放手术治疗肾上腺偶发瘤４４例，经腹腔镜手术治疗３例。结果：所有病例均完整切除肿瘤，肿瘤最大直径１．２￣１７．０ｃｍ，疗效满意。结论：对肾上腺偶发瘤，术前应常规行内分泌检查；对肿瘤直径〈６ｃｍ而影像学检查无粘连者，可作腹腔镜探查；对肿瘤直径〉６ｃｍ或术前怀疑为嗜铬细胞瘤者，或肿瘤与周围脏器有粘连者，以行开放手术为宜。     

Selective use of steroid replacement after adrenalectomy: lessons from 331 consecutive cases

HYPOTHESIS: Only selected patients require steroid replacement therapy following adrenalectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTINGS: University tertiary care center and veterans' hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 331 patients who underwent adrenalectomy by 1 surgeon (Q.-Y.D.) between April 1, 1993, and August 31, 2005. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic, open, and hand-assisted adrenalectomy. Steroid replacement therapy was administered using a standardized hydrocortisone taper protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indications for adrenalectomy, operative approach, requirement for postoperative steroid replacement, and episodes of acute adrenocortical insufficiency. RESULTS: Of the 331 adrenalectomies, 304 were laparoscopic, 23 were open, and 4 were hand assisted. There were 299 unilateral adrenalectomies and 32 bilateral adrenalectomies performed. Fifty-seven (17%) of the 331 patients required steroid replacement after adrenalectomy. Of the 57 patients requiring steroid replacement, 52 had Cushing syndrome and 5 had bilateral pheochromocytomas. The 52 patients with Cushing syndrome included 16 with pituitary tumors who had failed pituitary resection and/or medical therapy, 14 with unilateral adrenal adenomas, 9 with ectopic corticotropin-secreting tumors who had failed resection and/or medical therapy, 7 with incidentalomas and subclinical Cushing syndrome, 4 with macronodular hyperplasia, and 2 with adrenocortical carcinoma. No patients undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for non-Cushing adrenal disease required steroid replacement. Four (7%) of the 57 patients receiving steroid replacement had episodes of acute adrenocortical insufficiency following operation and required increased steroid supplementation. There were no cases of acute adrenocortical insufficiency in the 274 patients who did not receive steroid replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Steroid replacement therapy after adrenalectomy should be reserved for patients with Cushing syndrome (overt or subclinical) and patients undergoing bilateral adrenalectomy. Patients undergoing adrenalectomy for unilateral non-Cushing adrenal tumors do not require postoperative steroid replacement.     

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.     

Incidentally discovered adrenal tumors: an institutional perspective.

With the aim of developing guidelines for investigation and management of adrenal incidentalomas, 2066 patients with adrenal masses were analyzed from a total of 61,054 computerized tomographic (CT) scans done from 1985 through 1989. Excluding patients with previous or concurrent malignancies, adrenal tumors localized after biochemical documentation of disease, and adrenal nodules less than 1 cm, 259 patients (0.4%) remained for analysis. Added to these were 83 patients (total 342) in whom the adrenal tumor had been found elsewhere before referral. There were 136 men and 206 women with a mean age of 62 years. Tumor diameter ranged from 1 to 11 cm (average 2.5 cm). Studies to evaluate biochemical hyperfunction were performed in 172 patients (50%), 2 of whom were found to have cortisol-producing tumors and 5 pheochromocytomas. Histologic proof of diagnosis was obtained in 55 patients at the time of adrenalectomy. Malignancy was discovered in five patients (four primary and one metastatic), the smallest malignant tumor measuring 5 cm. In the 287 patients without histologic diagnoses, a minimum of 1 year of clinical follow-up was obtained in 251 (88%), including repeat CT scan in 156 (54%). None of these patients had clinical or biochemical adrenal abnormalities. We suggest (1) biochemical screening in patients with incidentalomas larger than 1 cm, (2) surgical excision of tumors 4 cm or greater, and (3) a comparison CT scan approximately 3 months after diagnosis in patients with tumors less than 4 cm in whom observation has been chosen.     

Risk of concomitant malignancy in hyperfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas

Background

Adrenal masses are common incidental findings on radiologic imaging. The association between malignancy and hormonal hyperactivity found in incidentally discovered adrenal tumors, however, remains unclear.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent adrenalectomy for incidentally discovered adrenal tumors at a single institution. Outcomes and operative data were compared by univariate analysis. Area under the curve was used to analyze the effect of tumor size in predicting malignancy.

Results

There were 49 patients who initially presented with adrenal incidentalomas that underwent adrenalectomy. Most patients were Caucasian women with an average age of 51 ± 14 years. Of this group, 24 patients underwent resection for hyperfunctioning adrenal glands. There were no significant differences in malignancy rates between hyperfunctional and nonfunctional tumors (4.1% vs. 12.0%, P = 0.32). On final histopathology, there were four patients with adrenal malignancies: two adrenocortical carcinomas and two metastatic from renal carcinoma. Only one patient with a hyperfunctioning adrenal tumor had underlying malignancy. Overall, invasion of adjacent structures (P < 0.001), presence of lymphadenopathy (P = 0.02), metastasis (P = 0.03), irregular tumor margins (P = 0.01), heterogeneity (P = 0.05), and tumor size >6 cm (P = 0.04) on radiologic imaging were strongly associated with malignancy in adrenal incidentalomas.

Conclusions

The risk of concomitant malignancy and hormonal hyperactivity in adrenal incidentalomas is very low. Tumor size (>6 cm) and radiographic features remain the most important predictors of adrenal malignancy, regardless of tumor function.     

单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤手术方式的选择（附4例报告）

目的：探讨单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤的临床特点和手术方式的选择。方法：回顾性分析4例单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤患者的临床资料：左侧1例,右侧3例。因阵发性高血压发现1例,偶发3例。合并同侧肾结石2例。术前内分泌及电解质检查均正常。诊断为单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤。2例合并同侧肾结石的单纯肾上腺单侧多发肿瘤患者行开放肾盂切开取石加。肾上腺全切术,2例单纯肾上腺单侧多发肿瘤患者行后腹腔镜肾上腺全切术。结果：4例患者手术均获得成功。肿瘤直径1．4～4．5cm,平均2．1cm。术后病理检查证实3例为肾上腺多发皮质腺瘤,1例为髓质脂肪瘤合并皮质腺瘤。后腹腔镜手术患者术后平均住院6．5d,开放手术患者术后平均住院9．0d。随访时间6个月～3年,未出现肿瘤复发。结论：后腹腔镜患侧肾上腺全切可作为单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤的首选手术方法。对于合并同侧肾铸型结石的单侧肾上腺多发肿瘤患者,采用开放术式行肾盂切开取石、肾上腺全切效果确切,可缩短手术时间,避免二次手术。     

Treatment recommendations for adrenal metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer

To evaluate the optimum treatment strategy for metastatic adrenal tumors derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we retrospectively analyzed 17 consecutive cases (8 resection cases: 4 synchronous and 4 metachronous: 9 non-resection cases: 3 synchronous and 6 metachronous) who received surgical resection for NSCLC. The patients included 12 males and 5 females with a mean age of 63.9 years. Of these, 9, 3, 2, 2, and 1 patient (s) were diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, pleomorphic carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenosquamous cell carcinoma, respectively. The mean interval after lung resection and treatment of metachronous adrenal metastasis was 9.9 months. The mean time to progression from treatment of metachronous adrenal metastasis to disease progression was 8.9 months. A survival analysis showed no significant prognostic difference between the patient age, gender, pathological stage, synchronous/metachronous classification, CEA, and site of metastases. However, patients who received an adrenalectomy had a more favorable prognosis. The 2-year survival of patients following resection versus those who did not undergo a resection for adrenal metastasis was 62.5 and 22.8%, respectively. These data indicate that metastatic adrenal tumors should be resected if the patient can tolerate surgery after appropriate selection.     

肾上腺意外瘤126例分析

目的 探讨肾上腺意外瘤的诊断和治疗方法。方法对126例肾上腺意外瘤进行分析,其中98例行手术治疗。结果各类意外瘤中,以腺瘤为最多,共52例(41．3％);43例(34．1％)有功能,以嗜铬细胞瘤及原发性醛固酮增多症为主;无功能腺瘤的最大直径均在6cm以下,皮质癌均在6cm以上。结论术前应明确意外瘤的功能状态及良恶性。对于无功能意外瘤,肿物大小是判断其良恶性及决定手术与否的主要指标。     

Adenomatoider Tumor der Nebenniere

Adenomatoid tumors are uncommon, benign tumors of the genital tract which have also been reported to occur extragenitally. Case reports on adenomatoid tumors of the adrenal gland exist. Most of these are incidentally discovered at autopsy or after the resection of incidentalomas. We report on the case of a young man with epigastic pain and with the finding of a 4 cm heterogeneous right adrenal mass on abdominal CT scan. After endocrine activity had been ruled out, an inactive, benign adrenal tumor was suspected and laparoscopic right adrenalectomy performed. The specimen was found to be an adenomatoid tumor. We discuss the differential diagnosis and the possible embryological origin of these tumors. The feature of 'local invasive ability' does not imply malignancy. All cases discovered surgically and at autopsy have been benign. Local resection seems to be the appropriate therapy.     

Safety of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Patients with Large Pheochromocytomas: A Single Institution Review

Background Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the procedure of choice for small adrenal tumors, but some concerns have been voiced when this approach is adopted for larger tumors and pheochromocytomas. The aim of this study was to examine the results of the laparoscopic resection of large pheochromocytomas. Methods A retrospective review of adrenalectomies performed for adrenal pheochromocytomas >6 cm in diameter. We compiled and analyzed the early operative complications, histologic findings, and cure rates with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up after surgery. Results From 1996 to 2005, a total of 445 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed in our institution using the anterolateral transperitoneal approach. From this series we identified 18 procedures for pheochromocytomas with an average diameter on imaging of 78.2 mm (range 60–130 mm). All patients were rendered safe with a standard departmental protocol involving calcium-channel blockade initiated at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. The average peak intraoperative blood pressure was 187 mmHg. Capsular disruption occurred in two cases. One patient required an intraoperative blood transfusion due to intraoperative blood loss. No immediate conversions to an open procedure were required, but one patient underwent a delayed laparotomy for hematoma formation. Histologically, four of the adrenal tumors displayed evidence of vascular invasion. Biochemical cure was achieved in all patients after a median follow-up of 58 months (16–122 months). Conclusions Laparoscopic adrenalectomy appears to be a safe and effective approach for large pheochromocytomas when no preoperative or intraoperative evidence of local invasion is present. Paper Presented at the ISW Congress.     

Results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large and potentially malignant tumors

ndoscopic adrenalectomy is the procedure of choice for patients with small functioning adrenal tumors. For most surgeons invasive adrenal carcinoma is an absolute contraindication for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Whether LA should be proposed for large (> 6 cm), potentially malignant tumors is questionable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risks and outcome of LA performed in our department in patients with tumors > 6 cm and potentially malignant. We performed a retrospective study of 216 patients who underwent 233 LAs in our department from 1994 to 2000. We selected 19 patients with a tumor > 6 cm and potentially malignant: 8 nonfunctional tumors, 4 cortisol-secreting tumors, 1 virilizing tumor, and 6 pheochromocytomas. In none of these patients did preoperative investigations demonstrated invasive carcinoma. The median tumor size was 70 mm. LA was performed by a transperitoneal flank approach. Conversion to open adrenalectomy was performed in two patients owing to intraoperative evidence of invasive carcinoma. The median operating time was 150 minutes (range 95–240 minutes). Capsular disruption occurred during the dissection of two pheochromocytomas. There was no postoperative morbidity. Six patients had an adrenocortical carcinoma on pathologic diagnosis: three of the eight nonfunctional tumors, one of the four cortisol-secreting tumors, and one virilizing tumor. One patient presented with liver metastases 6 months after surgery and died. The five other patients are disease-free with a follow-up ranging from 8 to 83 months. The 13 patients with benign lesions (6 cortical adenomas, 1 ganglioneuroma, 6 pheochromocytomas) are disease-free with a median follow-up of 47 months (range 10–81 months). In experienced hands LA can be proposed for large, potentially malignant tumors. Conversion to open adrenalectomy should be performed if local invasion is observed during surgery. At present the risk of intraabdominal recurrence is unknown.