Laparoscopic management of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic management of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma presents a unique surgical challenge due to variable anatomical presentation and potential catecholamine surge during operative manipulation. We report our experience with laparoscopic removal of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2002, 5 patients presented with retroperitoneal extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas. Of the patients 2 had a history of von Hippel-Lindau disease, and the remaining 3 patients were diagnosed with sporadic extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma during hypertension evaluation. Although 4 patients had a history of hypertension, only 2 reported symptoms (episodic flushing, headaches, blurred vision) associated with excess catecholamine production. All patients had markedly increased preoperative urinary and plasma normetanephrine and/or norepinephrine levels, and 3 had positive I131 metaiodobenzylguanidine scan. In each case tumor was accurately identified on computerized tomography before surgery. RESULTS: Laparoscopic resection of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma was successful in 4 patients. Open conversion was required in 1 patient, who also had von Hippel-Lindau related bilateral adrenal pheochromocytomas due to significant adhesion of the extra-adrenal tumor to the aorta and renal hilum, and a concern for possible local invasion. Mean laparoscopic operative time and blood loss were 273 minutes (range 240 to 350) and 119 cc (range 75 to 200), respectively. Three 10 mm ports in a standard triangular fashion were used for the left side tumors, in which the tumors were found lateral to the aorta. For the right side tumors located either in the inter-aortacaval or para-caval region, a fourth port (10 mm) was inserted for liver retraction as needed. Laparoscopic ultrasound was used to localize the tumor and to assess the retroperitoneum for possible metastasis (none detected) in 3 cases. None of the patients had a hypertensive crisis intraoperatively, and all had unremarkable postoperative recovery with an average hospital stay of 3.8 days (range 3 to 4). Plasma and/or urinary norepinephrine and normetanephrine levels returned to normal range postoperatively in all cases. One patient was noted to have left lower extremity lymphedema and gluteal hematoma due to a positional injury related to prolonged pressure from the operating table and was treated conservatively. There has been no tumor recurrence at a median followup of 14 months (range 9 to 36). CONCLUSIONS: With careful surgical planning and appropriate preoperative pharmacological blockade, laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed in patients with extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas with minimal morbidity. Laparoscopic ultrasound may be helpful in precise localization and evaluation of tumor extension.