LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY

Between June and September 1993, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was indica ted in five patients (three women, two men; aged 25-50 years). Three h ad a phaeochromocytoma, two had an adenoma (Conn's syndrome). Four of the five tumours were localized to the right adrenal gland, one to the left. Tumour diameter ranged from 3 to 5 cm. The laparoscopic procedu re was successful in four of the patients (three right, one left). In the fifth case the operations had to be completed by conventional surg ery, because of noncontrollable haemorrhage. Duration of operation ran ged between 165 and 360 min for right adrenalectomy and was 135 min fo r the left one. Rapid convalescence, lower dose of pain-killing drug r equired, short hospital stay and good cosmetic results characterized t he postoperative course after the laparoscopic procedure. This techniq ue thus op ens up new perspectives for adrenal surgery.