Comparison of laparoscopic versus open surgery for adrenal tumor

We performed 25 laparoscopic adrenalectomies for adrenal tumor between January 1998 and December 2000. In 23 cases, adrenal tumors were successfully removed laparoscopically, but in 2, the laparoscopic procedure was converted to open surgery because of liver injury and endoscopically uncontrolled bleeding at the renal hilum. Postoperative complications, involving retroperitoneal hematoma, hypercapnia, and wound infections, could be managed without surgical treatment. We compared laparoscopic adrenalectomy with conventional open surgery, which had been performed for 24 adrenal tumors in our clinic. The mean operative time for the laparoscopic adrenalectomy (228.8 +/- 65.5 minutes) was significantly longer than those for the open surgery (156.0 +/- 43.8 minutes). The estimated blood loss (82.3 +/- 125.4 g) was significantly less than those for the open surgery (210.8 +/- 167.7 g), and the laparoscopic adrenalectomy had significant advantages in lessening postoperative analgesic requirements, shortening postoperative recovery period, and preserving good physical appearance. Therefore, we conclude that the laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a less invasive surgery, and is acceptable as a standard operation for adrenal tumors.     

经腹、经后腹腔途径腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术(附56例报告)

目的 总结经腹腔、经后腹腔途径腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术的临床经验. 方法 2001年12月～2004年12月,我院施行腹腔镜肾上腺切除术56例.采用经腹腔途径肾上腺肿瘤切除术10例,腹部取3个trocar 穿刺入路,切开侧腹膜和肾周筋膜,在肾上极内上方分离肾上腺或瘤体,结扎速结合超声刀将肿瘤切除.经后腹腔途径切除肾上腺肿瘤46例,腰部取3个trocar 穿刺入路,用自制的气囊扩张后腹腔,切开肾周筋膜,在肾上极内上方分离肾上腺或瘤体,结扎速结合超声刀将肿瘤切除. 结果 10例经腹腔途径中3例因腹腔广泛粘连中转开放手术,46例经后腹腔途径中1例因下腔静脉损伤大出血中转开放手术.余52例术中出血量20～200 ml,平均70 ml,均未输血.手术时间40～200 min,平均110 min.术后住院3～8 d,平均5.4 d.52例随访6～36个月,平均8个月,未见肿瘤复发和转移. 结论 腹腔镜肾上腺切除术效果确切,损伤小,术后恢复快,住院时间短,是肾上腺手术的首选术式.     

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: morbidity compared with adrenalectomy for tumors of other pathology

PURPOSE: We report our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in nine patients with pheochromocytoma and compare the morbidity with that of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for tumors of other pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and November 1999, nine patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma via a transperitoneal approach. Of the patients, eight had solitary tumors, and one presented with bilateral pheochromocytomas. The mean size of the tumors was 5.4 cm. The surgical outcomes of the 9 patients were compared with those of 28 patients with adrenal tumors of other pathology (primary aldosteronism in 15 patients, Cushing syndrome in 6, and nonfunctioning adenoma in 7) who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy during the same period. The mean size of the adrenal tumors of other pathology was 2.4 cm. RESULTS: In eight of the nine patients with pheochromocytoma, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was successful. The procedure was converted to open surgery in the patient with bilateral tumors because of uncontrollable hemorrhage. A hypertensive crisis with the systolic blood pressure >200 mm Hg occurred in 6 patients (67%), but the episode could be controlled by temporary discontinuation of tumor manipulation, administration of drugs, or both. In adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma, the mean operative time was longer (199 v 177 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was greater (360 v 54 mL) than for tumors of other pathology. Blood transfusion was given to two patients with pheochromocytoma but to no patient with tumors of other pathology. The patients with adrenal tumors of other pathology could resume normal activity earlier (mean 18 v 26 days) than those with pheochromocytoma. CONCLUSION: The operation is more difficult and the morbidity is higher in laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma than that for tumors of other pathology. An experienced team of surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills and anesthesiologists is mandatory. In large tumors, great caution should be taken for intraoperative complications. Nevertheless, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is not contraindicated for pheochromocytoma and can be performed safely.     

Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy--results of 560 procedures in 520 patients

BACKGROUND: The posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is less popular than the laparoscopic transabdominal method. Due to the direct approach to the adrenal glands, however, the posterior retroperitoneal access is easy to use and may offer advantages not available with other endoscopic procedures for adrenalectomy. METHODS: Between July 1994 and March 2006, we performed 560 adrenalectomies (right side: n = 258; left side: n = 302) by the posterior retroperitoneoscopic approach in 520 patients (200 male, 320 female; age, 10 to 83 years). Of the 520 patients, 21 suffered from Cushing's disease, 499 patients had adrenal tumors (157 Conn's adenomas, 120 pheochromocytomas [13 bilateral], 110 Cushing's adenomas [6 bilateral], and 112 other tumors). Tumor size ranged from 0.5 to 10 cm (mean, 2.9 +/- 1.7 cm). The procedures were performed with the patients in the prone position usually with 3 trocars. RESULTS: Mortality was zero. Conversions to open or laparoscopic lateral surgery were necessary in 9 patients (1.7%). Major complications occurred in 1.3% of patients, minor complications in 14.4%. Mean operating time was 67 +/- 40 min and declined significantly (P < .001) from the early procedures (106 +/- 46 min) to the later operations (40 +/- 15 min). CONCLUSIONS: The posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and fast procedure. In experienced hands, this method represents the ideal approach in adrenal 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.     

后腹腔镜手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄(附37例报告)

目的 评价腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤的安全性及临床价值.方法 对25例肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤患者采用腹腔镜经腹腔途径手术治疗.结果 25例全部成功,无1例中转开放手术,无严重并发症发生.肿瘤最大径1.5～10.8 cm,平均4.8 cm;手术时间45～130 min,平均70 min;术中出血量30～180ml,平均65ml,均未输血;术后住院4～7天,平均6.1天;术后病理检查证实均为肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤.全部病例获得随访6～72个月.患者血压正常,B超或CT复查均未见肿瘤复发.结论 腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤具有手术时间短、出血少、损伤小、恢复快、安全性高、并发症少等优点,可替代开放手术.     

Clinical experience of laparoscopic adrenalectomy: the National Defense Medical College experience

Twenty-seven laparoscopic adrenalectomies (LapAdx) were performed at the National Defense Medical College between 1999 and 2004. We evaluated the results of LapAdx (group L) compared to the results of open adrenalectomy (group O). Twenty-six of the 27 LapAdx were successfully performed, but one patient with a large pheochromocytoma required open surgey because of arterial bleeding in the renal hilus. The mean operating time in group L (185 +/- 19 min) was not significantly different from that in group O (206 +/- 13 min). The mean estimated blood loss in group L (111 +/- 61 g) was significantly lower than that in group O (308 +/- 67 g). The starting time for oral feeding and for ambulation was significantly earlier in group L than in group O. There was a major complication (intraoperative bleeding) in which a group L patient required a blood transfusion. We also compared the surgical results of 26 patients in LapAdx divided chronologically into the first half and the last half to determine the surgical skill acquired. The operating time was significantly shorter and blood loss significantly less for patients in the last half. In addition, the operating time and blood loss for the first-time LapAdx operators were comparable with those of experienced surgeons. Our results support the efficacy and the minimal invasiveness of LapAdx. The accumulated experience and knowledge regarding laparoscopic surgery in our institute were important in improving surgical procedures and results.     

肾上腺肿物切除术后再行腹腔镜肾上腺手术

目的：总结既往有肾上腺手术史者再行腹腔镜肾上腺手术的经验。方法：2005年5月～2007年3月采用腹腔镜经腹腔途径对3例肾上腺肿物切除术后患者再行腹腔镜肾上腺肿物切除术。3例原发性醛固酮增多症患者均为女性,平均48岁（35～56岁）,左侧1例,右侧2例,肿瘤平均直径1．4cm（1．2～2．0cm）,2例曾行腹腔镜经后腹腔肾上腺肿物切除,1例曾行经腰切口开放’肾上腺肿物切除。观察手术时间、术中出血量、住院天数、并发症及手术效果。结果：3例手术均顺利完成。平均手术时间90min（75～110min）,术中平均出血量20ml（10-30ml）。平均住院时间5天（4～6天）,术中术后无并发症发生。随访8～25个月肿瘤无复发。结论：对于有肾上腺手术史者再行腹腔镜肾上腺手术难度增加,但腹腔镜再次手术是可行有效的。     

腹腔镜、后腹腔镜与开放性手术治疗肾上腺肿瘤的比较分析

目的 评价与比较前、后腹腔镜与开放性手术治疗肾上腺肿瘤的临床价值。方法 对1996年1月-2002年6月手术治疗的81例肾上腺肿瘤进行回顾性分析。腹腔镜手术19例中17例成功(A组),后腹腔镜手术21例中19例成功(B组),开放性手术41例(C组),根据切除肿瘤平均重量、平均手术时间、术中平均出血量、肠功能平均恢复时间、术后平均住院时间、手术中转率、术后并发症等临床资料,对三组手术进行比较分析,并探讨手术适应证。结果 切除肿瘤平均重量：A组13．86g、B组15．66g、C组18．03g;平均手术时间：A组比B组长17．21min,A、B二组分别比C组长48．53min和31．32min;术中平均出血量：A、B二组分别比C组减少121．55ml和137．05ml,B组比A组减少15．50ml;肠功能平均恢复时间：A、B二组分别比C组提前1．87d和2．17d,B组比A组提前0．3d;术后平均住院时间：A、B二组分别比C组缩短2．60d和3．87d,B组比A组缩短1．27d;手术中转率：A组10．5％(2／19)、B组9．5％(2／21);术后并发症：A组10．5％(2／19)、B组14．3％(3／21)、C组9．76％(4／41)。结论 两种腹腔镜手术各项比较指标均优于开放手术,后腹腔镜手术在入路便捷,对腹腔脏器干扰程度与术后恢复时间方面略占优势。     

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.     

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: a worthwhile procedure performed in a general surgery department

A laparoscopic procedure is considered the treatment of choice for adrenalectomy. We report the experience of a nonreferring unit for adrenal pathology; we have evaluated its safety and feasibility in a series of 40 patients. From 1994 to 2001, forty consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, 37 with transperitoneal and 3 with retroperitoneal approach. The mean operative time was 129 +/- 51.7 minutes (range 60-300): 107 +/- 29 minutes (range 60-100) for the right-sided transperitoneal adrenalectomy and 144 +/- 62 minutes (range 90-300) for the left-sided transperitoneal adrenalectomy. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 90 mL (range 40-200). The procedure laparoscopic was converted to open in one case for the presence of a voluminous angiolipoma arising from the retroperitoneal fat strictly adherent to the adrenal gland. The postoperative morbidity rate was 5.1 per cent. Pain medication was required for a mean period of 1.6 +/- 0.6 days (range 1-3). The patients were able to resume solid food after an average time of 1.8 +/- 0.7 days (range 1-4). Postoperative hospital stay was 3 +/- 1.4 days (range 2-8). We believe that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe and effective in removing benign functioning or nonfunctioning adrenal masses and also in a general surgery department.     

腹腔镜手术切除巨大肾上腺肿瘤的临床探讨

目的：探讨腹腔镜手术切除巨大（直径≥8cm）肾上腺肿瘤的可行性。方法：采用经腹途径腹腔镜切除术治疗巨大肾上腺肿瘤患者6例,左侧4例,右侧2例,肿瘤最大径8．5～12cm。结果：6例腹腔镜手术均获得成功,无中转开放手术。手术时间平均120min（90～185min）,术中出血量平均150ml（50～400m1）。术后胃肠功能恢复时间1～2天,术后2～3天拔除引流管,术后住院6～lO天。随访4～24个月,未发现异常。病理检查报告肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤2例,神经节细胞瘤1例,神经鞘瘤1例,髓性脂肪瘤2例。结论：肿瘤大小并不是选择腹腔镜手术的决定性因素。在技术娴熟的条件下,腹腔镜治疗巨大肾上腺肿瘤是安全、可行的。     

腹膜后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术35例报告

目的:总结腹膜后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺肿瘤的临床经验。方法:回顾分析2003年5月至2008年12月我院行腹膜后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺肿瘤35例患者的临床资料。结果:33例腹腔镜手术成功,2例术中探查为胃肠道肿瘤,中转开放手术。手术时间40~275min,平均(136.2±62.3)min。术中出血20~200ml,平均(91.0±48.2)ml。术后住院5~7d,平均(6.2±0.8)d。发生腹膜损伤2例,瘤体破裂出血1例,Trocar穿刺口脂肪液化3例。结论:用腹腔镜行肾上腺肿瘤切除术具有患者创伤小、术中出血少、术后康复快等优点,但需根据肿瘤大小和病理类型严格掌握,同时应重视局部解剖关系。     

腹膜后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤手术46例临床分析

目的：探讨腹膜后腹腔镜手术治疗肾上腺肿瘤的临床价值。方法：回顾分析2007年10月至2009年10月为46例患者行腹膜后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤切除术的临床资料。结果：44例手术成功,2例中转开放手术。手术时间30~120min,平均80min,术中出血30~150ml,平均60ml,无严重并发症发生。术后住院4~9d,平均5.2d。结论：腹膜后腹腔镜肾上腺肿瘤手术具有患者创伤小、出血少、并发症少、康复快、住院时间短等优点,可作为肾上腺肿瘤手术的首选方法。     

Laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy for recurrent pheochromocytoma after open partial adrenalectomy in von Hippel-Lindau disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Unilateral total adrenalectomy is the standard treatment for benign unilateral adrenal tumors. Partial adrenalectomy has to be considered for bilateral adrenal tumors. Recently, our group has reported the feasibility of unilateral and bilateral partial adrenalectomy by means of laparoscopy. Now, we present a case of recurrent pheochromocytoma after open bilateral adrenalectomy and demonstrate that laparoscopic cortex-sparing surgery is feasible for a recurrence after open surgery. Case Report: At the age of 10 years, a boy was found to have bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma and was treated by open bilateral partial adrenalectomy. Eight years later, the patient presented with palpitation, sweating, and severe hypertension. Investigations biochemically and radiologically demonstrated functional recurrent pheochromocytoma in the left adrenal gland. Genetic studies confirmed mutation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. The patient was prepared for surgery preoperatively by phenoxybenzamine and metropolol. The surgery was performed as planned, and the normal adrenal tissue was spared. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. His blood pressure was normal on the day of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: In a specialized center with experienced laparoscopic surgeons, laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy for recurrent pheochromocytoma is feasible even after previous open surgery on the ipsilateral adrenal gland. Adrenal-sparing surgery is indicated in hereditary syndromes such as VHL and MEN II to avoid the problems of life-long steroid replacement. Recurrences have to be expected, but further surgery may be less difficult by the previous laparoscopic approach.     

Laparoscopic posterior adrenalectomy: technical considerations

HYPOTHESIS: Although laparoscopic posterior adrenalectomy (LPA) offers a more direct access to the adrenal gland, it is not as popular as laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy, and the worldwide experience has been limited. We hypothesized that LPA is a safe and efficacious procedure that could best serve certain patients with adrenal tumors. DESIGN: Case series of patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a single institution. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Medical records of 31 patients with 33 tumors who underwent LPA were reviewed. Indications for operation included hormone secretion in 23 patients (74%), suspected or known malignant neoplasms in 7 patients (23%), and local symptoms in 1 patient (3%). INTERVENTION: The LPAs were performed with the patients in prone position. Preoperative ultrasonography localized the adrenal tumor and kidney to guide balloon trocar placement for the creation of a working retroperitoneal space. The LPAs were performed with three 10-mm trocars using laparoscopic ultrasound to localize the tumor and the harmonic scalpel to perform the dissection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, type and size of tumor, operative time, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and hospital stay were analyzed. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed without conversion. Excluding the bilateral cases, the mean +/- SD operative time was 176 +/- 104 minutes. Estimated blood loss averaged 32 mL (range, 10-200 mL). There were no intraoperative complications. The mean +/- SD tumor size was 3.2 +/- 1.8 cm (range, 0.8-7.0 cm). Pathological evaluation revealed benign tumors in 25 patients (81%) and malignant tumors in 6 patients. The average hospital stay was 1.4 days (range, 1-3 days). There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Although technically more demanding, LPA should be considered in patients with tumors less than 6 cm, bilateral tumors, or extensive previous abdominal surgery.     

Clinical evaluation of our first 50 laparoscopic adrenalectomies

We performed 50 laparoscopic adrenalectomies during the period from 1998 through 2003. We report our experience and the outcomes of this procedure, which has become a standard surgery for adrenal tumors. In most cases, the transperitoneal approach was used. In 48 cases, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed successfully. However, in two cases, the operation was converted to an open procedure because of bleeding. As our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy increased, operation time decreased. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be used more widely in the future.     

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.     

Equal oncologic results for laparoscopic and open resection of adrenal metastases

BACKGROUND: While open adrenalectomy is often performed for malignant adrenal tumors, increasing numbers of surgeons have adopted the laparoscopic approach. The postoperative benefits of laparoscopic adrenalectomy are well established, but questions persist about long-term oncologic outcomes when used for malignant lesions. The current study was undertaken to compare laparoscopic with open adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastases. METHODS: From March 1993 to April 2006, 20 adults underwent adrenalectomy for isolated metastases to the adrenal gland. Three patients were excluded because of a concomitant nephrectomy (2) and an unresectable tumor (1). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and oncologic outcomes of the remaining patients were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients who received adrenalectomy for an isolated metastasis, there were 11 men and 6 women with a mean age of 58 +/- 3 y. Nine patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and 8 patients had open adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with less blood loss (63 +/- 8 mL versus 2207 +/- 1067 mL, P=0.05), a lower complication rate (0% versus 63%, P=0.009), and a shorter length of stay (2.4 +/- 0.6 d versus 5.4 +/- 0.7 d, P=0.02). With a follow-up of up to 97 mo, there were no port site metastases, no tumor recurrences, and no difference in survival between laparoscopic and open adrenalectomy (median 19 months versus 17 months, 5-year survival 34% versus 54%, P=0.96). CONCLUSIONS: When not limited by tumor size or invasion of surrounding tissue, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe alternative to open adrenalectomy with equivalent oncologic outcomes and clear postoperative benefit for patients with isolated metastases to the adrenal gland.