Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: A preliminary evaluation of 25 cases

Reporting their two-year experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy (L.A.), the authors present a preliminary evaluation of laparoscopic technique for the removal of adrenal gland. A transperitoneal lateral approach was used with the patient in the lateral decubitus position, rotated 60 degrees. Twe nty-five procedures to remove both non-functional and functional tumours we re performed. In 16 cases, the tumours were located in the right adrenal gl and and in 8 cases in the left adrenal gland. The mean tumour diameter was 4.34 cm. The mean operative time was 2.9 hours and the mean postoperative h ospital stay 6.5 days. In two cases (8.0%), conversion to a open method was necessary. In another two cases, intra- and postoperative complications we re observed. In the authors' opinion, L.A. is a safe method with increased postoperative comfort of the patient and it may be recommended as another m ethod considered for elective removal of adrenal tumours.