Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 81 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign adrenal tumors.Methods A total of 81 cases of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy from March 2002 to October 2005 was retrospectively analyzed,including 21 cases of Cushing's syndrome,57 cases of aldosterone-preducing adenoma,2 cases of adrenal pheochromocytoma,and 1 case of bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia.Three trocars were introduced at the lumbar part and a retroperitoneal space was established by blunt dissection with the camera assembly.The tumor was removed by using a harmonic scalpel.Results The procedure was successfully completed in all the 81 cases,with an operation time of 20~140 min(mean,60 min) and an intraoperative blood loss of 20~100 ml(mean,45 ml).There was no need of blood transfusion intra-and post-operatively.Retroperitoneal hematoma occurred in 1 case post-operatively.Follow-up examinations in 37 cases for 3~18 months(mean,11 months) showed normal blood pressure,stature and laboratory findings.Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy has advantages of minimal invasion,little blood loss,quick post-operative recovery,and low complication incidence.It should be considered as the first choice for treating benign adrenal tumors.