Background and objective: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the procedure of choice to treat benign functioning and non-functioning adrenal tumors. This study aims to present our single unit experience of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Material and method: Review of all recorded clinical data was performed in patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal neoplasm, between January 2008 and December 2013 in Srinagarind Hospital. Patients' demographic data, lesion size, operation time, blood loss, conversion rate, length of postoperative stay, morbidity and mortality were collected and analyzed.
Results: Forty-six adrenalectomy were done. 11 men and 35 women, with a mean age of 44 years (range 20-69) were enrolled. A right adrenal gland tumor in 14 cases (30.43%) and left adrenal gland tumor in 32 cases (69.57%). Overall mean operative time was 97 minutes and mean blood loss was 61.73 ml. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 6 of 46 patients (13.04%). Mean length of post operative hospital stay of conversion to open surgery group (9.83 days) was longer than laparoscopic group (4.67 days) significantly p<0.05 (95% CI: -7.28 to -3.03). Tumor mean size was of 2.6 cm and most was cortical adenoma. Morbidity rate was 2.17% and no mortality.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the procedure of choice for benign adrenal gland tumor. Current review confirms that it has been a safe and feasible procedure associated with minimal morbidity. Surgical skill and laparoscopic experience are important factors to achieve consistently good outcomes.