Aim: To analyze the general characteristics and outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our institution.
Methods: The clinical and intraoperative characteristics, complications and outcome of 29 consecutive patients undergoing lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy between February 1995 and January 1998 were analyzed.
Results: Their mean age was 34 +/- 11 years, 6 were males and 23 females. The most common preoperative diagnosis was recurrent Cushing's disease followed by functioning adenomas and pheochromocytomas. There were 17 unilateral and 12 bilateral adrenalectomies. The mean operative time was 2.5 +/- 1 hours for each gland. Two patients were converted to the open technique. There were two complications: a wound infection and a postsurgery hypoglycemia. The hypoglycemic patient also developed massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding 18 days after surgery and died. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. In a mean follow-up of one year, recurrence of one pheochromocytoma was seen.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was a safe operation that favored early recovery.