Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: alternative or new standard?

Initial experience with laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy in single tertiary center

Purpose

Laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (LPRA) is a surgical method that accesses the adrenal gland through the back. The aim of this study was to report initial experience of LPRA and evaluate possibilities for surgical application.

Methods

From March 2018 to December 2019, a total of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with adrenal tumor underwent surgical treatment at Pusan National University Hospital were enrolled. Clinicopathologic features and various peri- and postoperative parameters were analyzed by retrospective medical record review. The mean age of the patients was 48.20±13.66 years.

Results

The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.50±4.30 kg/m². Primary hyperaldosteronism was the most frequently preoperative diagnosed disease (n=13, 43.4%), followed by adrenal incidentaloma (n=8, 26.6%), Cushing syndrome (n=5, 16.6%) and pheochromocytoma (n=4, 13.3%). The mean size of postoperative adrenal tumor was 2.72±1.76 cm. The mean operating time was 162±58.14 minutes. Among the 30 patients, 28 patients underwent total adrenalectomy (93.3%) and two patients underwent cortical sparing adrenalectomy (6.7%). When LPRA was performed for patients with BMI >23.16 kg/m², the operating time was longer than the average (P=0.016).

Conclusion

LPRA was suitable and safe for patients with benign adrenal tumors. BMI, retroperitoneal fat density and postoperative adrenal weight may be related to the operating time, so they should be considered when deciding on a surgical method for adrenalectomy.

Comparison of Robotic Posterior Retroperitoneal Adrenalectomy over Laparoscopic Posterior Retroperitoneal Adrenalectomy: A Single Tertiary Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (LPRA) and robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (RPRA) and determine the differences that could affect the outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 230 adrenalectomy cases from 2014 to 2017. There were 169 LPRA and 61 RPRA cases, and their clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

In LPRA, there was a positive relationship between operation time and male gender, early period of experience, adrenal tumor size, and pheochromocytoma. In RPRA, adrenal tumor size and pheochromocytoma were the factors affecting the operation time. When the adrenal tumor size was ≤5.5 cm, the operation time of LPRA was shorter than that of RPRA (p=0.001). When the tumor size was >5.5 cm, there was no significant difference in the operation times of LPRA and RPRA (p=0.102).

CONCLUSIONS

RPRA is a feasible and technically safe approach for benign adrenal diseases. The use of RPRA could benefit patients and provide comfort by overcoming the factors contributing to a longer operation time in the laparoscopic technique, such as male gender and high BMI.

New genetic causes of pheochromocytoma: current concepts and the clinical relevance

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are tumors of the autonomous nervous system mainly occurring in the adrenal medulla, but also in the extraadrenal paraganglias of the abdomen, thorax, neck and skull basis. The etiology comprises germline mutations of now 6 genes. About 10 years known are the RET gene susceptible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, the VHL gene for von Hippel-Lindau Disease, and the NF 1 gene for neurofibromatosis Recklinghausen (neuro- fibromatosis type 1). Since 2000 the genes for succinatedehydrogenase subunits SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD have been identified for paraganglioma syndromes type 4, type 3, and type 1 respectively. Investigations of series of pheochromocytoma patients identified germline mutations in one of the genes SDHB, SDHD, VHL and RET in 24% to 50% of the patients. Multifocal tumors, young age and positive family history, known features associated with inheritence, have not been present in all patients. Therefore, analyses of blood DNA for mutations in these genes are recommended. Positive tests provide the patients and their relatives with essential platforms for clinical care. Experiences in this field of medicine have shown that optimal management of patients with pheochromocytoma-associated syndromes is a high challenge. National registries may be instrumental in order to provide with adequate facilities.

Laparoscopic approaches to urologic malignancies

Urologic laparoscopy has had its greatest impact on patients with genitourinary malignancies. Only pelvic lymph node dissection and the occasional nephrectomy were considered oncologically feasible early in the evolution of laparoscopic urology. Presently, multiple approaches are considered standard at centers of excellence and in the general community. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy and radical nephrectomy have gained overwhelming acceptance. Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy has been found to be feasible for select patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Minimally invasive nephron-sparing approaches, such as cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, continue to generate great interest, but follow-up remains limited. Early data with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy suggest excellent continence rates and equivalent oncologic results based on pathologic surrogates of cure. However, long-term data are still needed, in addition to validated information regarding return of erectile function and quality of life. Other novel therapies, such as laparoscopic radical cystectomy with urinary diversion and laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, hold great promise of benefiting patients with urologic malignancies.