Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, a safe procedure for pheochromocytoma. A retrospective review of clinical series

Abstract Background: Minimally invasive adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a complex surgical procedure especially because of the haemodynamic instability due to the excessive secretion of cathecolamines, which may result in a considerable risk of conversion and complications. Aim: By a multicentric retrospective study, the authors reported the results of laparoscopic adrenalectomies in patients operated for adrenal pheochromocytomas with the aim of investigating the role of the laparoscopic approach in managing adrenal disease. Methods: Sixty patients, preoperatively treated with a selective alpha1-blocker, underwent 61 laparoscopic adrenalectomies for PCC smaller or larger than 6 cm - group A (≤6 cm), group B (>6 cm). We compared the two groups of patients analyzing haemodynamic instability, operative time, conversion rate, incidence of complications, length of hospital stay and medium and long-term outcomes. Results: In 23 cases tumor was >6 cm in diameter. Average operative time was 165 min, with a 5% conversion rate. There was no mortality and morbidity rate was 8.3%. Intraoperative hypertensive crises were registered in 15% of patients, whereas 5/60 patients had hypotensive crises. After comparing the two groups of patients, no statistically significant differences in terms of haemodynamic instability, operative time, conversion rate, morbidity and length of hospital stay were observed. Conclusions: As a surgical treatment of pheochromocytomas, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an effective and safe approach, in selected cases even for PCCs >6 cm in diameter, although patients with such large tumors may have a higher conversion rate and more intraoperative hypertensive crises. Preoperative selective adrenergic blockade does not prevent intraoperative hypertensive crises, but by facilitating the pharmacological management of the perioperative haemodynamic instability, may avoid the onset of major adverse cardiovascular complications. © 2012 Surgical Associates Ltd.