LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY VIA THE RETROPERITONEAL APPROACH - FIRST 5CASES

Between February and November 1994, we performed laparoscopic retroper itoneal adrenalectomy in five patients with benign adrenal tumors to c onfirm the efficacy of this operation, Using digital dissection and a balloon, we created a working space in the retroperitoneal cavity befo re we dissected the adrenal gland and removed it under laparoscopic ob servation. The adrenal glands of all five patients were removed withou t any complications, The mean operative time was 3.4 hours, and the me an estimated blood loss was 148 mt. The average postoperative hospital stay was 10 days, and the average full recovery time was 19 days, We concluded that the retroperitoneal approach is an advantageous and saf e procedure in the laparoscopic removal of the adrenal gland with beni gn tumor.