Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the indications and resul ts of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included six children (four b oys, two girls) aged 2-16 years (mean, 9.5), Three children had hypertensio n. In three cases, the adrenal mass was discovered incidentally. The tumors were bilateral in two children, right-sided in two cases, and left-sided i n two cases. The mean tumor size was 4 cm (range, 1-7). Each child underwen t MIBG scintigraphy and MRI: before the operation. Results: Four right and two left adrenal glands were resected by laparoscop y (transperitoneal), and two left glands were resected by retroperitoneosco py. Two conversions were necessary for two left adrenal glands tone retrope ritoneoscopy, one laparoscopy). Two partial resections and six adrenalectom ies were performed. Histological examination of the tumors revealed two gan glioneuromas, one neuroblastoma, and five pheochromocytomas (two bilateral) . One child had an involved node (pheochromocytoma). Both bilateral pheochr omocytomas had von Hippel-Lindau disease. There was no morbidity. Mean hosp italstay was 6 days. Postoperative evaluation at 1 month was normal in all children. Conclusion: The indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children are benign tumors and pheochromocytomas. In these cases, laparoscopic adrenalec tomy is feasible and safe, even in cases of pheochromocytoma.