LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY - GENERAL-REVI EW OF A CURRENT TECHNIQUE

The anatomical situation of the adrenal gland explains the diversity o f the surgical incisions used for adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic adrenale ctomy was first performed in 1992. It allows eradication of small adre nal lesions. which are often incidental findings. There are two routes of laparoscopic access to the adrenal gland: transperitoneal and retr operitoneal. Laparoscopy allows excellent operative exposure, reductio n of postoperative pain and hospital stay and rapid convalescence. Ret roperitoneoscopy, by allowing direct access to the retroperitoneum, is more rapid than the transperitoneal route.