Robot-assisted Partial Adrenalectomy for the Treatment of Conn's Syndrome: Surgical Technique, and Perioperative and Functional Outcomes

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BackgroundIn the era of minimally invasive surgery, partial adrenalectomy has certainly been underused. We aimed to report surgical technique and perioperative, pathologic, and early functional outcomes of a two-center robot-assisted partial adrenalectomy (RAPA) series. ObjectiveTo detail surgical technique of RAPA for unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (UAPA), and to report perioperative and 1-yr functional outcomes. Design, setting, and participantsData of 10 consecutive patients who underwent RAPA for UAPA at two centers from June 2014 to April 2017 were prospectively collected and reported. Surgical procedureRAPA was performed using a standardized technique with the da Vinci Si in a three-arm configuration. MeasurementsBaseline and perioperative data were reported. One-year functional outcomes were assessed according to primary aldosteronism surgery outcome guidelines. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results and limitationsAll cases were completed robotically. Median nodule size was 18mm (interquartile range [IQR] 16–20). Intraoperative blood loss was negligible. A single (10%) postoperative Clavien grade 2 complication occurred. Median hospital stay was 3 d (IQR 2–3). Patients became normotensive immediately after surgery (median pre- and postoperative blood pressure: 150/90 and 120/70mmHg, respectively). At both 3-mo and 1-yr functional evaluation, all patients achieved biochemical success (aldosterone level, plasmatic renin activity, and aldosterone-renin ratio within normal range). Complete clinical success was achieved in nine patients, but one required low-dose amlodipine at 6-mo evaluation. At a median follow-up of 30.5 mo (IQR 19–42), neither symptoms nor imaging recurrence was observed. ConclusionsWe demonstrated feasibility and safety of RAPA for UAPA; this technique had very low risk of complications and excellent functional results. Increased availability of robotic platform and increasing robotic skills among urologists make RAPA a treatment option with potential for widespread use in urologic community. Patient summaryRobot-assisted partial adrenalectomy is a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive surgical approach. Promising perioperative and functional outcomes suggest an increasing adoption of this technique in the near future.