Transabdominal and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: comparative study.

Abstract

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is recognized as the "gold standard" approach for benign adrenal tumors. The majority of surgeons opt for laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomies (LTA), while retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies (RPA) in the prone position have certain advantages for patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of the transabdominal and retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic adrenalectomies. Between 2000 and 2021, our clinic performed 472 laparoscopic adrenalectomies. The age ranged from 19 to 79years, with a mean age of 50.5 ± 10.2years. The patient pool consisted of 315 women and 157 men. Tumor sizes ranged from 1 to 10cm. In a study of 316 patients undergoing LTA versus 156 with RPA, the TLA averaged 82.5min (70-98), while the RPA took 56.4min (46-62) (P < 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was 110cc for the LTA group and 80cc for the RPA group (P < 0.05) Conversion rates stood at 2.5% for transabdominal and 4.5% for retroperitoneoscopic procedures (P = 0.254). At 24h post-operation, pain scores were 3.6 and 1.6, respectively (P < 0.001). Time to resume solid oral intake was 15.2h for TLA and 8h for RPA, with hospital stays at 4.5days and 3days respectively (P < 0.001). Short-term complications occurred in 8.9% of transabdominal and 12.2% of retroperitoneoscopic patients (P = 0.257). For small tumors, RPA offers advantages over the transabdominal method in surgery time, blood loss, post-op pain, and recovery. These benefits are enhanced for patients with prior abdominal surgeries. However, large tumors present challenges in the retroperitoneal approach due to limited space and anatomical orientation. If complications emerge, surgeons can seamlessly switch to the LTA.