Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy Using Needlescopic Instruments for Adrenal Tumors Less Than 5 cm in 112 Cases

ObjectiveTo examine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy with needlescopic instruments for most adrenal tumors less than 5 cm.MethodsTransperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy with needlescopic instruments for 112 patients with presumptively benign adrenal tumors < 5 cm were enrolled from July 2000 to February 2005. Operative time, blood loss, conversion and complication rates, and postoperative data were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods.ResultsAll 112 operations were completed without any mortality or reoperation. Mean operative time was 151 min and mean blood loss was 30 ml. Only one patient required a blood transfusion and application of a hand-assisted device. Conversion to conventional laparoscopic instruments was necessary in another five patients (4.5%). The operative time of the latter 100 cases (147 ± 5.1 min, mean ± standard error of mean) was significantly shorter than that of the initial 12 cases (183 ± 8.8 min, p = 0.001). Larger tumors, previous abdominal surgery, and pheochromocytoma group were independent risk factors of a longer operative time. Except for one leiomyosarcoma, all other tumors were benign adrenal pathologies (57 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 23 Cushing's adenomas, 12 pheochromocytomas, and 20 incidentalomas).ConclusionThe safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic adrenalectomy employing needlescopic instruments for most adrenal tumors less than 5 cm was feasible with acceptable operative time. Pheochromocytomas can also be managed with a longer operative time. Patients with previous upper midline or ipsilateral upper quadrant open surgery might not be suitable candidates for such a technique.