A comparative study of the transperitoneal and posterior retroperitoneal approaches for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is considered the gold standard for the surgical treatment of small adrenal tumors. However, several approach routes, such as the transperitoneal (TP), lateral retroperitoneal, and the posterior retroperitoneal (PR) approaches are being used based on surgeon's preference. The PR approach has several benefits compared with the others. Recently, the authors used the PR approach to treat several adrenal tumors and here describe the methods used in detail and the preliminary results obtained.

METHODS: From January 2009 to July 2010, 58 patients underwent adrenalectomy. Open adrenalectomy and robotic adrenalectomy were performed in 5 and 10 patients. Also, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and the TP and PR approaches were used in 26 and 17 patients, respectively. Clinicopathologic data and surgical outcomes were evaluated and compared retrospectively.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the TP and PR groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, lesion side, volume of blood loss, or tumor size (3.86 ± 3.83 in TP approach, 2.64 ± 1.61 in PR approach). Mean operative time and average oral intake time using the PR approach were shorter than for the TP approach. Less analgesia use was required in patients who underwent PR approach.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe procedure and the operative time is comparable to transperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. The use of the PR approach for small adrenal tumor can provide very favorable surgical outcomes compared with the TP approach.