Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy for aldosteronoma: early Mayo Clinic experience.

Abstract

To evaluate early results with laparoscopic left adrenalectomy in patients with an aldosteronoma. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records to Mayo patients in whom laparoscopic left adrenalectomy had been attempted for presumed aldosteronoma. Data on the diagnosis, details about the procedure, occurrence of associated complications, and duration of recovery period were analyzed for all study patients. Of the nine patients who underwent attempted laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, seven had aldosteronoma. In six of the seven patients, the procedure was successful. No preoperative mortality occurred, and morbidity was limited to prolonged ileus in one patient. Of the other five patients with successful results, all tolerated liquids within 24 hours after the procedure. The mean postoperative hospital stay for the six patients with successful laparoscopic procedures was 2.3 days, and four patients were dismissed within 48 hours after the procedure. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe alternative for the management of aldosteronoma of the left adrenal gland.