Korean J Endocr Surg.  2011 Dec;11(4):287-291. 10.0000/kjes.2011.11.4.287.

Initial Experience with Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy for the Adrenal Tumors

• Kim TH
• Lee CR
• Park S
• Park JH
• Jeong JS
• Kang SW
• Jeong JJ
• Nam KH
• Chung WY
• Park CS

• KMID: 2375392
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjes.2011.11.4.287

Abstract

PURPOSE
Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) for small adrenal tumors has recently been in the spotlight due to its several benefits. Compelling advantages for endoscopic surgeons include direct, safe, and fast approach to the adrenal gland without trespass to the intraperitoneal organ. This study reports our initial experiences of PRA for the management of adrenal tumors.
METHODS
From December 2009 to August 2011, 63 patients underwent PRA for the management of adrenal tumor. Among these patients, laparoscopic adrenalectomy and robotic adrenalectomy were performed in 54 and nine patients, respectively. We retrospectively reviewed records of all surgical outcomes.
RESULTS
Of the 54 patients, 22 were male and 32 were female, and mean age was 51.7±14.0 years. Mean body mass index was 24.6±3.6 kg/m² and mean dimension of the tumors was 2.66±1.36 cm. Six patients were diagnosed with Cushing's disease, 22 patients with primary aldosteronism, seven patients with pheochromocytoma, one patient with metastatic adrenal gland cancer, and 18 patients with nonfunctioning adrenal tumors. Mean operative time was 88.5±27.1 min, mean blood loss was 17.4±37.4 ml, and mean duration to first oral intake was 0.83±0.4 days. Mean number of postoperative analgesics used was 2.28±2.54, and mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.85±1.43 days. There was no open conversion during the operation and no post-operative complication.
CONCLUSION
PRA is a safe and fast procedure. In experienced hands, PRA represents one of the ideal approaching methods in the adrenal gland surgery.

Keyword

Adrenal gland tumor; Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
Adrenal Glands
Adrenalectomy*
Analgesics
Body Mass Index
Female
Hand
Humans
Hyperaldosteronism
Length of Stay
Male
Operative Time
Pheochromocytoma
Retrospective Studies
Surgeons
Analgesics

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Patient position of posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy.

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  Fig. 2 Mean operation times and mean tumor sizes according to the 3 consecutive periods.

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