Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Black Adenoma：Report of 7 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal black adenoma . Methods From June 2002 to July 2014, 7 patients with adrenal tumors were treated with retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy in our hospital .During the operation all the patients were placed in healthy lateral decubitus position .Three trocars were introduced into the lumbar region:below the 12th rib along the anterior and posterior axillary lines , and 2 cm beyond superior iliac spine on the middle axillary line .The retroperitoneal space was established with homemade balloon-expanding devices .Afterwards , the tumors were removed by using a harmonic scalpel. Results All the tumors were resected completely .The average operation time was 60 min (range, 34-90 min) and the average blood loss in the operation was 70 ml (range, 20 -200 ml) without blood transfusion.The drainage tubes were removed on the 3rd or 4th postoperative day and the patients were discharged on the 6th or 7th postoperative day .They were pathologically diagnosed as adrenal black adenoma . Two patients manifested the Cushing ’ s syndrome and 3 patients showed hypertension , all of which were recovered to normal postoperatively .No recurrence or metastasis was noted during a follow-up for 12-24 months (mean, 18 months). Conclusions Adrenal black adenoma, without specific clinical features, is a rare kind of adrenocortical adenoma .The confirmative diagnosis depends on pathological results .Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive, safe and effective technique for adrenal black adenoma , which provides favorable prognosis .