Laparoscopic Adrenal Resection: Changing Techniques for Established Indications

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Purpose

We investigated the following issues regarding laparoscopic adrenalectomy: techniques and advantages, indications in adrenal diseases, and the special case of pheochromocytoma.

Methods

Qualified literature reports were reviewed and integrated with results of our initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Results

Most authors prefer a transperitoneal approach, but some (including ourselves) use the retroperitoneal approach. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is as effective and safe as traditional surgery, but the associated morbidity was found to be much lower in laparoscopic series. The need for conversion to open surgery does not exceed 5% of all cases. Practically all adrenal masses can be managed by laparoscopy. The only clinical situations where laparoscopy is not recommended as first choice are large adrenal masses (>6 cm) and gross cortical carcinoma, which are related conditions. Laparoscopy is also indicated in pheochromocytoma. No mortality and an elevated hypertension cure rate (75–100%) have been reported. Hypertension and plasma volume contraction must be normalized prior to surgery. Special attention should be paid to possible severe blood pressure variations during surgery. Partial adrenalectomy has been recently proposed for bilateral and familial pheochromocytoma in order to avoid lifelong mineral corticoid replacement therapy.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy currently represents the first surgical choice for adrenal masses. Only large lesions that are suspected to be malignant should not be electively submitted to this procedure. Pheochromocytoma can be safely and effectively treated with laparoscopic surgery; special care for related symptoms is required.

Adrenalectomia laparoscópica: análise de 11 pacientes

OBJETIVO: Analisar a experiência inicial da Divisão de Urologia do HCFMRP-USP na adrenalectomia transperitoneal videolaparoscópica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 11 casos de adrenalectomia transperitoneal laparoscópica realizados de fevereiro de 1999 a março de 2003 sendo 3 em homens( 27%) e 8 em mulheres (73%), idade média de 40,2 ± 13,1 anos. Os pacientes apresentavam os diagnósticos seguintes: adenoma - 5, síndrome de Cushing - 3, feocromocitoma - 1, hiperaldestorismo - 1 e síndrome de Carney - 1. RESULTADOS: A cirurgia foi bilateral em 05 pacientes (45,4%) e unilateral em 06 pacientes (54,6 %), destes 04 à direita (36,4%) e 02 à esquerda (18,2%). O tempo médio de internação foi de 3,6 ± 1,1 dias, o tempo médio de cirurgia foi de 220,5 ± 103,7 minutos e a taxa de conversão foi de 18,2%. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apresentados são similares aos relatados pela literatura, demonstrando que a adrenalectomia videolaparoscópia pode ser realizada de maneira segura e eficiente com benefícios: tempo cirúrgico aceitável, rápida recuperação pós-operatória e alta precoce.