Laparoscopic surgery in functional and nonfunctional adrenal tumors: A single-center experience

The Spectrum of Adrenal Lesions in a Tertiary Referral Center

BACKGROUND

Adrenal tumors are a common finding in clinical practice, and only detailed evaluation may reveal secretory and metabolic abnormalities or their malignant character. We aimed to highlight epidemiological data, rates of malignancy, clinical or secretory characteristics, and the cardiometabolic implications of adrenal masses.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the medical files of 474 patients with adrenal pathology hospitalized between January 2007 and January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, using the ICD-10 codes. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 264 patients with adrenal tumors were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent clinical examination, abdominal imaging, and hormonal evaluation, and some of them underwent a pathological exam after adrenalectomy.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 56 (17) years, with 81.06% of patients being female. The median follow-up period was 41.5 (70) months, ranging from 6 months to 13 years. Adrenal tumors were most frequently seen in older female patients, with 83.47% of them being over 40 years old. The malignancy rate was 4.54%. Hormonally nonfunctioning tumors (71.95%) predominated, and overt hypercortisolism was present in 10.61% of patients, as was mild autonomous cortisol secretion in 5.31% of patients, primary hyperaldosteronism in 8.71% of patients, and adrenal paraganglioma in 3.41% of patients. Cardiometabolic comorbid conditions were similar in patients with functioning and nonfunctioning tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

All patients with adrenal tumors should receive a complete hormonal workup and detailed malignancy risk assessment. Even though a hormonally active tumor predisposes to cardiometabolic comorbid conditions, a nonfunctioning lesion may also be associated with such disorders and needs thorough assessment.

Side-specific factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability in laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is challenging because of the high risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability (HDI). This study aimed to compare the incidence and risk factors of intraoperative HDI between laparoscopic left adrenalectomy (LLA) and laparoscopic right adrenalectomy (LRA).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed two hundred and seventy-one patients aged > 18 years with unilateral benign PHEO of any size who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospitals between September 2016 and September 2023. Patients were divided into LRA (N = 122) and LLA (N = 149) groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to predict intraoperative HDI. In multivariate analysis for the prediction of HDI, right-sided PHEO, PHEO size, preoperative comorbidities, and preoperative systolic blood pressure were included.

RESULTS

Intraoperative HDI was significantly higher in the LRA group than in the LLA (27% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis, right-sided tumours showed a higher risk of intraoperative HDI (odds ratio [OR] 5.625, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.147-27.577, p = 0.033). The tumor size (OR 11.019, 95% CI 3.996-30.38, p < 0.001), presence of preoperative comorbidities [diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart disease] (OR 7.918, 95% CI 1.323-47.412, p = 0.023), and preoperative systolic blood pressure (OR 1.265, 95% CI 1.07-1.495, p = 0.006) were associated with a higher risk of HDI in both LRA and LLA, with no superiority of one side over the other.

CONCLUSION

LRA was associated with a significantly higher intraoperative HDI than LLA. Right-sided PHEO was a risk factor for intraoperative HDI.

The effect of mass functionality on laparoscopic adrenalectomy outcomes

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the effect of adrenal mass functionality and different hormone subtypes synthesized by the adrenal masses on laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 298 patients, 154 of whom were diagnosed with nonfunctional masses. In the functional group, 33, 62, and 59 patients had Conn syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, and pheochromocytoma, respectively. The variables were analyzed between the functional and nonfunctional groups and then compared among functional masses through subgroup analysis.

RESULTS

The incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity, blood loss, and length of hospital stay (LOH) were significantly higher in the functional group than in the nonfunctional group. In the subgroup analysis, patients with pheochromocytoma had significantly lower body mass index but significantly higher mass size, blood loss, and LOH than the other two groups. A positive correlation was found between mass size and blood loss in patients with pheochromocytoma (p ≤ 0.001, r = 0.761). However, no significant difference in complications was found among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, patients with functional adrenal masses had higher comorbidity rates and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores. Moreover, blood loss and LOH were longer on patients with functional adrenal masses who underwent LA. Mass size, blood loss, and LOH in patients with pheochromocytoma were significantly longer than those in patients with other functional adrenal masses. Thus, mass functionality did not increase the complications.

Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours of 6 cm or greater: A single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for large adrenal tumours by comparing the outcomes of tumours larger than 6 cm with those smaller than 6 cm and also to identify the risk factors associated with prolonged operative time in transperitoneal LA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty-three patients underwent LA at our clinic from January 2014 to December 2020. Bilateral LA was performed in 20 of these 163 patients. A total of 143 patients were included in this study. Data were analysed retrospectively from the patients' medical records collected.

RESULTS

Large tumour (LT) group consists of 33 patients and the small tumour (ST) group consists of 110 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding conversion to open surgery and complications. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent predictors of prolonged operation time. The tumour size ≥8 cm (odds ratio [OR], 19.132; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.881-94.303; P < 0.001) and diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (OR, 2.762; 95% CI, (1.123-6.789, P = 0.026) were the significant predictors of prolonged operation time.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that LA can be considered the treatment of choice for small and large adrenal tumours. The tumour size ≥8 cm and diagnosis of pheochromocytoma are the independent risk factors for the prolonged operative time in transperitoneal LA.

Thirty day postoperative outcomes following laparoscopic adrenalectomy for functional adrenal tumors

BACKGROUND

Functional adrenal tumors (FATs) are rare and if left untreated, there is a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality due to uncontrolled excess hormone secretion. The three most common FATs are cortisone-producing tumors (hypercortisolism), aldosterone-producing tumors (hyperaldosteronism), and catecholamines-producing tumors (pheochromocytomas). The study aims to evaluate demographic characteristics and 30-day outcomes after laparoscopic adrenalectomy of FATs.

METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for FATs were selected from the ACS-NSQIP database (2015-2017), and divided into three groups (hyperaldosteronism, hypercortisolism, and pheochromocytoma). Preoperative demographics, medical comorbidities, and 30-day postoperative outcomes among the three groups were analyzed using the chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the effects independent variables on the likelihood of increased overall morbidity.

RESULTS

Of a total of 2410 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, 345 (14.3%) patients with FATs were included. Patients in the hypercortisolism group were younger, had higher proportion of females, had higher BMI, had a higher proportion of White ethnicity and had a higher proportion of diabetes. The hyperaldosteronism group had a higher proportion of Black ethnicity and a higher proportion of hypertension (HTN) requiring medication. Thirty day postoperative outcomes showed that the pheochromocytoma group had a higher rate of serious morbidity, overall morbidity, and highest readmission rates. There were three deaths, 1 in the pheochromocytoma and 2 in the hypercortisolism groups. Operative time (in minutes) was longer in the hypercortisolism group. Median length of stay was higher in hypercortisolism (2 days) and pheochromocytoma (1.5 day) groups.

CONCLUSION

Functional adrenal tumors show distinct variations in patient demographics and postoperative outcomes. It is essential to use this information during the preoperative period to optimize patients prior to intervention and counsel patients about potential postoperative outcomes.

Laparoscopic approach of pediatric adrenal tumors

PURPOSE

To analyze the role of laparoscopic surgery for the management of pediatric adrenal tumors (AT).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of children diagnosed with AT, operated laparoscopically during 2003-2020. The strategy differed according to tumor extension. AT < 6 cm were resected. Locally advanced tumors (L2) or > 6 cm were biopsied.

RESULTS

N = 28. Complete tumor resection (R0) in 20 (71%), tumor biopsy in 8 (R2). Age (median): 28.8 months (2 months-18 years). 14/28 left-sided, 2 bilateral. Median operating time: 78 min (45-180). Mean tumor size (for resections): 4 cm (2.5-6). Tumor pathology: neuroblastoma (n = 17), Ganglioneuroma (n = 7), Adrenocortical carcinoma (n = 1), Osteosarcoma metastasis (n = 1), Pheochromocytoma (n = 1), Venous malformation (n = 1). Mean hospital stay: 2.5 days (1-3). Mean follow up: 65.5 months (24-192). Overall survival and event-free survival were 86 and 75%, respectively (5 years event-free survival for neuroblastoma: 33% [intermediate risk], 16.6% [high risk]. No surgery-related mortality.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery for adrenal tumors is safe. Laparoscopic biopsy is useful for unresectable tumors when a percutaneous approach is not possible. With the proposed selection criteria, the laparoscopic approach should be the first option for resection of small and localized AT in pediatrics.

Laparoscopic Approach to the Adrenal Masses: Single-Center Experience of Five Years

Objectives:

Currently, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard technique for suitable patients with adrenal masses. In this study, we aimed to assess the postoperative results of patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Methods:

Between January 2014 and October 2019, 76 cases were operated and retrospectively evaluated. Laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy was applied to the patients. Demographic profiles, preoperative indications, intraoperative and postoperative complications, mortality and length of hospital stay were evaluated.

Results:

Seventy-six patients (30 male, 46 female) with a mean age of 47.2±11.7 (range 22-71) years underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Thirty-nine of the patients had right; 33 of the patients had left adrenal masses. Three patients had bilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia. One patient was operated for paraganglioma. Conversion to open adrenalectomy was observed in four patients (5.26%). Nine patients (11.8%) experienced intraoperative and postoperative complications. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were bleeding from spleen (2 cases) and upper pole of kidney (1 case), renal artery injury (1 case), bleeding from liver parenchyma (2 cases), ischemia of spleen and pancreas (1 case), small intestinal injury (1 case) and incisional hernia (1 case). The complication rate is acceptable and comparable with other studies in the literature.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be safely applied in suitable patients with acceptable complications and low conversion rates.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for the Treatment of Isolated Large Adrenal Gland Metastases from Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report

The adrenal gland is a common site for metastatic disease. However, isolated adrenal metastases (AM) are rare. We present a case of a rapidly enlarging adrenal mass with solitary distant metastasis from primary malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, the present case is the largest solitary mass that involves the adrenal gland from malignant melanoma in the literature. The present patient with a large adrenal mass (14 cm) was successfully operated by a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. The surgeon's laparoscopic experience is more important than the lesion size for laparoscopic indications in selected patients.

Nationwide review of hormonally active adrenal tumors highlights high morbidity in pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND

Adrenal adenomas are benign tumors often discovered incidentally, and >70% are hormonally inactive. The remaining subset may produce excess aldosterone, cortisol, or catecholamine. Perioperative outcomes after adrenalectomy for such "hormonally active" tumors remain unclear. This study examines in-hospital outcomes after unilateral adrenalectomy for hormonally active tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2006-2011) to identify patients undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for hormonally active or inactive tumors. Malignant adrenal tumors were excluded. Demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were evaluated by univariate analysis, using two-tailed Chi-square and t-tests and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 27,312 patients who underwent adrenalectomy, 78% (n = 21,279) had hormonally inactive and 22% (n = 6033) had hormonally active adrenal tumors. Among the latter, 65% (n = 4000) had primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome), 33% (n = 1996) had hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome), and 1.4% (n = 85) had pheochromocytoma. Patients with pheochromocytoma had higher rate of comorbidities including congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, and malignant hypertension compared with remaining hormonally active tumors (12% versus 4%, 18% versus 11%, 6% versus 2%; P < 0.01). For patients with pheochromocytoma versus other hormonally active tumors, mean length of stay was 5 versus 3 d and total in-hospital cost was $50,000 versus $41,000 (P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, pheochromocytoma had an independently higher risk for intraoperative blood transfusion (4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-7.2), postoperative cardiac (7.6, 95% CI 2.8-20.2), and respiratory (1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.3) complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with pheochromocytoma have high rates of preoperative comorbidities, postoperative cardiopulmonary complications, and longer and more costly hospitalizations. Such high-risk patients should undergo appropriate preoperative medical optimization in preparation for adrenalectomy.