Navigation with the Use of Intraoperative Ultrasonography in Videoscopic Adrenal Surgery

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography during videoscopic adrenalectomy. The study was conducted in patients undergoing extraperitoneal videoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours in the Department of Endocrine, General and Vascular Surgery of the Medical University in Łódź in 2008-2011. The active group consisted of 20 patients in whom navigation with the use of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) was used in the course of surgery. The comparison group consisted of 46 patients operated without the use of IOUS. In the active group, we managed to obtain a shorter time of surgery by almost 20 min (89.44 ± 27.11 min vs 109.12 ± 33.88 min; p=0.034) and a shorter lesion access time by more than 15 min (28.61 ± 14.93 min vs 45.98 ± 20.44 min; p=0.002). Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the active group (86.11 ± 157 ml vs 169.27 ± 201.04 ml; p=0.037). In contrast, the use of IOUS did not affect the hospitalisation time (4.39 ± 3.27 days vs 3.83 ± 3.67 days; p=0.227), the rate of intraoperative complications (0/18 vs 2/41; p=1) and the conversion rate (2/20 - 10% vs 5/46 - 10.87%; p=1). 1. Intraoperative ultrasonography is useful for determining the tumour relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures. 2. Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful technique in the assessment of adrenal tumour infiltration of the surrounding tissues. 3. This technique facilitates finding the pathological lesion, shortening the time of access to the tumour and procedure duration (thus reducing the burden for the patient). 4. Reduced blood loss was also obtained owing to the use of IOUS.