Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Initial Chilean experience

Background: Laparoscopic adrenal approach was introduced in 1992 and is bec oming the surgical method of choice for several adrenal diseases. Aim: To r eport the initial Chilean experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Materia l and methods: A retrospective review of 17 patients subjected to the surgi cal procedure by the authors. Results: The preoperative diagnosis were adre nomas (8 patients), pheochromocytoma (3), cystic lesions (2), adrenal metas tases (2), hyperaldosteronism (1) and a pituitary Cushing (1). The average lesion size was 5.4 cm, the operative time 2.5 hours and the hospital stay 2.5 days. Eight patients were discharged in less than 48 hours. Pain was ma naged with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in 14 patients. One subject require conversion to open surgery. Transfusions were required in complex cases with a diaphragmatic hamartoma, Cushing disease and in a combined adr enal and renal resection. One patient had to be re admitted due to a pancre atic pseudo cyst that was drained percutaneously. There have been no recurr ences after a mean followup of 2 years. Conclusions: This early experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy shows good results. A good patient selectio n and experience with advanced laparoscopic surgery are requisites for a su ccessful use of this surgical technique.