Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenal Tumors / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large (≥6 cm in diameter) adrenal tumors. Methods Between June 2002 and June 2008,30 patients with large adrenal tumors underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our hospital. With the patients being placed in the lateral position at the uninjured side,a self-made balloon was used to dilate the retroperitoneal space. Afterwards,3 trocars were inserted via the costal margin at the posterior axillary line and the anterior axillary line,and 2 cm above the anterior superior iliac spine at the middle axillary line to remove the tumors. After resection of the tumor,an drainage tube was indwelled. Results Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery was performed successfully in the 30 cases without conversion to open surgery. The mean operation time was 100 min (range,65 to 185 min),and the mean blood loss was 80 ml (range,50 to 250 ml). Over a mean of 18.5-month follow-up (range,3 to 36 months) was achieved in the cases,during which no one had local recurrence. Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible and safe for patients with large adrenal tumors as long as no contraindication of the surgery is found. The diameter of the tumor does not play a role when determining the surgery.