Laparoscopic transperitoneal lateral adrenalectomy for malignant and potentially malignant adrenal tumours

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Tailoring Approaches for the Optimal Resection of Adrenal Tumors

In this study, we investigated the outcomes of laparoscopic approaches for adrenal tumor resection in 67 patients from a single center with a median age of 51 (range 40-79). Predominantly comprising women, the majority of patients were overweight or obese. Adrenal tumors larger than 6 cm were mostly treated using the laparoscopic transperitoneal method (p < 0.001). Our results revealed that patients subjected to the retroperitoneal approach exhibited quicker recovery, as evidenced by faster resumption of oral intake and ambulation, along with reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospitalization (p-value < 0.05). In contrast, patients subjected to the transperitoneal approach experienced minimal complications, though not statistically significant, despite the technique's intricacy and slower recovery. These findings emphasize the significance of tailoring the surgical approach to individual patient characteristics, with particular emphasis on the tumor size. The choice between the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal methods should be informed by patient-specific attributes to optimize surgical outcomes. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as tumor characteristics and postoperative recovery when determining the most suitable laparoscopic approach for adrenal tumor resection. Ultimately, the pursuit of individualized treatment strategies will contribute to improved patient outcomes in adrenal tumor surgery.

Impact of Current Technology in Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: 20 Years of Experience in the Treatment of 254 Consecutive Clinical Cases

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA), which avoids large abdomen incisions, is considered the gold standard technique for the treatment of benign small- and medium-size adrenal masses (<6 cm) and weighing < 100 g. A trascurable mortality and morbidity rate, short hospitalization and patient rapid recovery are the main advantages compared to traditional surgery. During the past decade, a new surgical technology has been developed that expedites a "clipless" adrenalectomy. Here, the authors analyze a clinical series of 254 consecutive patients who were affected by adrenal gland neoplasms and underwent LA by the transabdominal lateral approach over the two last decades. A literature review is also presented.

METHODS

Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data from 254 patients who underwent LA between January 2003 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Diagnosis was obtained on the basis of clinical examination, laboratory values and imaging techniques. Doxazosin was preoperatively administered in the case of pheochromocytoma (PCC) while spironolactone and potassium were employed to treat Conn's disease. The same surgeon (CG) performed all the LA and utilized the same laparoscopic transabdominal lateral approach. Different dissection tools-ultrasonic, bipolar or mixed scissors-and hemostatic agents were used during this period. The following results were obtained: 254 patients were included in the study; functioning tumors were diagnosed in 155 patients, 52 patients were affected by PCCs, 55 by Conn's disease, 48 by Cushing's disease. Surgery mean operative time was 137.33 min (range 100-180 min) during the learning curve adrenalectomies and 98.5 min (range 70-180) in subsequent procedures. Mean blood loss was respectively 160.2 mL (range 60-280) and 96.98 mL (range 50-280) in the first 30 procedures and the subsequent ones. Only three conversions (1.18%) to open surgery occurred. No mortality or postoperative major complications were observed, while minor complications occurred in 19 patients (3.54%). In 153 out of 155 functioning neoplasms, LA was effective in the normalization of the endocrine profile. According to our experience, a learning curve consisting of 30 cases was identified. In fact, a lower operative time and a lower complication rate was reported following 30 LA.

CONCLUSIONS

LA is a safe procedure, even for masses larger than 6 cm and PCCs. Undoubtedly, the development of surgical technology has made it possible reducing operative times, performing a "clipless" adrenalectomy and extending the indications in the treatment of more complex patients. A multidisciplinary team, in referral high-volume centers, is recommended in the management of adrenal pathology. A 30-procedure learning curve is necessary to improve surgical outcomes.

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.

The Value of Histological Algorithms to Predict the Malignancy Potential of Pheochromocytomas and Abdominal Paragangliomas-A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Literature

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) and abdominal paragangliomas (PGLs), collectively abbreviated PPGLs, are neuroendocrine tumors of the adrenal medulla and paraganglia, respectively. These tumors exhibit malignant potential but seldom display evidence of metastatic spread, the latter being the only widely accepted evidence of malignancy. To counter this, pre-defined histological algorithms have been suggested to stratify the risk of malignancy: Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and the Grading system for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP). The PASS algorithm was originally intended for PCCs whereas the GAPP model is proposed for stratification of both PCCs and PGLs. In parallel, advances in terms of coupling overtly malignant PPGLs to the underlying molecular genetics have been made, but there is yet no combined risk stratification model based on histology and the overall mutational profile of the tumor. In this review, we systematically meta-analyzed previously reported cohorts using the PASS and GAPP algorithms and acknowledge a “rule-out” way of approaching these stratification models rather than a classical “rule-in” strategy. Moreover, the current genetic panorama regarding possible molecular adjunct markers for PPGL malignancy is reviewed. A combined histological and genetic approach will be needed to fully elucidate the malignant potential of these tumors.

Open adrenalectomy versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenocortical carcinoma: a retrospective comparative study on short-term oncologic prognosis

Purpose

Open adrenalectomy (OA) remains the gold standard of surgical therapy for adrenocortical carcinoma, while the role of laparoscopic approach is controversial. We aim to explore the influence of surgical approaches on the oncologic prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma by comparing the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing OA with those undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA).

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed the baseline characteristics, perioperative data and short-term prognosis of 42 patients diagnosed with stage I–III adrenocortical carcinoma, receiving OA (n=22) and LA (n=20) as primary therapy. The primary end point was the first recurrence.

Results

OA group had larger mean maximum diameter of tumor (10.1±3.6 versus 6.3±2.2 cm) and lesser benefits in operative time, bleeding loss and postoperative hospital stay than laparoscopic group. Mean disease-free survival (DFS) of OA was 44.8±35.1 months, which was longer than 17.5±10.4 months of LA, and the rate of 2-year DFS after primary surgery in the open group was higher than in the laparoscopic group (61.1% versus 21.4%, respectively). Rates of 1- and 3-year DFS showed no significant difference. All patients undergoing LA (11/11) showed local recurrent lesions at the first time of recurrence, while 5 of 13 patients undergoing OA did not show local recurrence (P=0.03).

Conclusion

OA for adrenocortical carcinoma is superior to laparoscopic approach in terms of DFS and rate of 2-year DFS, in spite of the larger maximum diameter of tumors and lesser benefit during perioperation. After LA, patients are more likely to show local recurrent lesions at the first time of relapse.

Single center experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy on a large clinical series

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered the gold standard technique for the treatment of benign small and medium size adrenal masses (<6 cm), due to low morbidity rate, short hospitalization and patient rapid recovery. The aim of our study is to analyse the feasibility and efficiency of this surgical approach in a broad spectrum of adrenal gland pathologies.

METHODS

Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative data from 126 patients undergone laparoscopic adrenalectomy between January 2003 and December 2015 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Diagnosis was obtained on the basis of clinical examination, laboratory values and imaging techniques. Doxazosin was preoperatively administered in case of pheochromocytoma while spironolactone and potassium were employed to treat Conn's disease. Laparoscopic adrenalectomies were all performed by the same surgeon (CG). First 30 procedures were considered as learning curve adrenalectomies.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-six patients were included in the study. Functioning tumors were diagnosed in 84 patients, 27 patients were affected by pheochromocytomas, 29 by Conn's disease, 28 by Cushing disease. Surgery mean operative time was 137.33 min (range 100-180) during the learning curve adrenalectomies and 96.5 min (range 75-110) in subsequent procedures. Mean blood loss was respectively 160.2 ml (range 60-280) and 90.5 ml (range 50-200) in the first 30 procedures and the subsequent ones. Only one conversion to open surgery occurred. No post-operative major complications were observed, while minor complications occurred in 8 patients (0,79%). In 83 out of 84 functioning neoplasms, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was effective in normalization of endocrine profile.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible procedure, even for functioning masses and pheochromocytomas. A multidisciplinary team including endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons and anaesthesiologists, is recommended in the management of adrenal pathology, and adrenal surgery should be performed in referral high volume centers. A thirty-procedures learning curve is recommended to improve surgical outcomes.

Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy in morbidly obese patients is not associated with worse short-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of obesity and morbid obesity on short-term outcomes after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

METHODS

The study included 520 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumor. The entire study group was divided depending on the body mass index: group 1 (normal weight), <25 kg/m² ; group 2 (overweight), 25-30 kg/m² ; and group 3 (obese) 30-40 kg/m² . Additionally, group 4 (morbidly obese) was distinguished. Study end-points were: operative time, intraoperative blood loss, total length of hospital stay, morbidity rate and 30-day readmission rate.

RESULTS

The mean operative times were 88.8, 94.7, 93.5, and 99.9 min in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (P = 0.1444). Complications were comparable between groups (12.8% vs 8.8% vs 8.2% vs 11.5%, P = 0.5295). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 66.8 versus 78.3 versus 60.7 versus 92.4, P = 0.1399. There were no differences in conversion rate between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity has no influence on short-term outcomes of laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy. This procedure is feasible regardless of the body mass index. Therefore, it can be offered to all patient groups including those morbidly obese individuals in whose case preoperative weight loss seems unnecessary.

Perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma

Perioperative hemodynamic instability still remains the biggest surgical and anesthetic challenge in surgery for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this review was to discuss pre-, intra- and postoperative factors that may impact on hemodynamic condition of a patient. It describes patients' preparation with appropriate medication, principles of surgical technique as well as risk factors for development of hemodynamic instability in postoperative period. Currently the gold standard in the treatment of pheochromocytoma is preoperative use of alpha-blockers and laparoscopic surgery. This approach allowed improving outcomes by lowering both mortality and morbidity.

Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Lateral Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard for treatment of benign adrenal lesions. Tumor size is a factor that might influence decision-making concerning the use of laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of adrenalectomy for tumors ≥6 cm in diameter.

METHODS

Two groups of patients were analyzed: first group comprised 441 patients with tumors <6 cm in diameter and second group consisted of 89 patients with tumors ≥6 cm. Both groups were compared with regard to the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, conversion and complications rate.

RESULTS

Median duration of surgery in groups 1 and 2 amounted to 86.6 and 111.9 min (p < 0.0001), respectively. Median intraoperative blood loss in groups 1 and 2 was 56.5 and 172.8 ml (p < 0.0001), respectively. There was a linear relationship between tumor size and the duration of surgery, and between tumor size and intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.0001). There were 2 (0.5%) and 6 (6.7%) conversions in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were 41 (9.3%) and 14 (15.7%) complications in groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0692), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy of tumors ≥6 cm is more difficult, but it can be regarded safe and beneficial for patients.