LAPAROSCOPIC LEFT ADRENALECTOMY FOR ALDOSTERONOMA - EARLY MAYO-CLINICEXPERIENCE

Objective: To evaluate early results with laparoscopic left adrenalect omy in patients with an aldosteronoma. Design: We retrospectively revi ewed the medical records of Mayo patients in whom laparoscopic left ad renalectomy had been attempted for presumed aldosteronoma. Material an d Methods: Data on the diagnosis, details about the procedure, occurre nce of associated complications, and duration of recovery period were analyzed for all study patients. Results: Of the nine patients who und erwent attempted laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, seven had aldosteron oma. In six of the seven patients, the procedure was successful. No pr eoperative mortality occurred, and morbidity was limited to prolonged ileus in one patient. Of the other five patients with successful resul ts, all tolerated liquids within 24 hours after the procedure. The mea n postoperative hospital stay for the six patients with successful lap aroscopic procedures was 2.3 days, and four patients were dismissed wi thin 48 hours after the procedure. Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalect omy is a safe alternative for the management of aldosteronoma of the l eft adrenal gland.