Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a Mexican institution

Aim. To analyze the general characteristics and outcome of laparoscopic adr enalectomy in our institution. Methods. The clinical and intraoperative cha racteristics, complications and outcome of 29 consecutive patients undergoi ng lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy between February 1995 and January 1998 were analyzed. Results. Their mean age was 34 +/- 11 year s, 6 were males and 23 females. The most common preoperative diagnosis was recurrent Gushing's disease followed by functioning adenomas and pheochromo cytomas. There were 17 unilateral and 12 bilateral adrenalectomies. The mea n operative time was 2.5 +/- 1 hours for each gland. Two patients were conv erted to the open technique. There were two complications: a wound infectio n and a postsurgery hypoglycemia. The hypoglycemic patient also developed m assive upper gastrointestinal bleeding 18 days after surgery and died. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. In a mean follow-up of one yea r, recurrence of one pheochromocytoma was seen. Conclusion. Laparoscopic ad renalectomy was a safe operation that favored early recovery.