Predictive factors for postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: a multicenter retrospective analysis in 225 patients.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1950s, preoperative medical preparation has been widely applied in patients with pheochromocytoma to improve intraoperative hemodynamic instability and postoperative complications. However, advancements in preoperative imaging, laparoscopic surgical techniques, and anesthesia have considerably improved management in patients with pheochromocytoma. In consequence, there is no validated consensus on current predictive factors for postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine perioperative factors which are predictive for postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. STUDY DESIGN: It is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained databases in five medical centers from 2002 to 2013. Inclusion criteria were consecutive patients who underwent non-converted laparoscopic unilateral total adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. RESULTS: Two-hundred and twenty-five patients were included. All-cause and cardiovascular postoperative morbidity rates were 16% (n = 36) and 4.8% (n = 11), respectively. Preinduction blood pressure normalization after preoperative medical preparation had no impact on postoperative morbidity. However, past medical history of coronary artery disease (OR [CI95%] = 3.39; [1.317-8.727]) and incidence of intraoperative hemodynamic instability episodes (both SBP ≥ 160 mmHg and MAP < 60 mmHg) (OR [CI95%] = 3.092; [1.451-6.587]) remained independent predictors for postoperative all-cause morbidity. Similarly, past medical history of coronary artery disease (OR [CI95%] = 14.41; [3.119-66.57]), female sex (OR [CI95%] = 12.05; [1.807-80.31]), and incidence of intraoperative hemodynamic instability episodes (both SBP ≥ 200 mmHg and MAP < 60 mmHg) (OR [CI95%] = 4.13; [1.009-16.90]) remained independent predictors for postoperative cardiovascular morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies risk factors for cardiovascular and all-cause postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic adrenalectomy in current clinical setting. These data can help physicians to guide intra-operative blood pressure management and have to be taken into account in further studies.

Safety of laparoscopic ventral rectopexy in the elderly: results from a nationwide database.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy is an established procedure in the treatment of posterior pelvic organ prolapse. It is still unclear whether this procedure can be performed safely in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of age on the outcome of laparoscopic ventral rectopexy performed for patients with pelvic organ prolapse. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective cohort analysis with data from a national registry. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in a tertiary care setting. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy were identified from discharge summaries. Patients were stratified according to age, including patients <70 (group A) and ≥ 70 (group B) years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables analyzed included sex, age, diagnosis, associated pelvic organ prolapse, comorbidities, length of stay, complications (Clavien-Dindo scale), and mortality. RESULTS: Among 4303 patients (98.2% women) who underwent a laparoscopic ventral rectopexy, 1263 (29.4%) were >70 years old (mean age, 76.2 ± 5.0 years). Main diagnoses were vaginal vault prolapse (53.0% [group A] vs 47.0% [group B]; p value not significant) and rectal prolapse (17.7 vs 26.8%; p value not significant). Comorbidity was significantly increased in group B (mean length of stay, 5.6 ± 3.6 vs 4.7 ± 1.8 days; p < 0.001) and minor complications (8.4% vs 5.0%; p < 0.001) were significantly increased in group B, whereas major complications were not different (group A, 0.7%; group B, 0.9%; p = 0.40) after univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis found no significant differences between groups. The subgroup analysis of patients >80 years old (n = 299) showed no differences. Each group had 1 postoperative mortality. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of the study include its retrospective design, lack of prestudy power calculation, possible inaccuracy of an administrative database, and selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy appears to be safe in select elderly patients.

Both preoperative alpha and calcium channel blockade impact intraoperative hemodynamic stability similarly in the management of pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-blockade is the standard management preoperatively to prevent intraoperative hemodynamic instability (IHD) during resection of a pheochromocytoma. Calcium channel blockers also have been shown to lessen the risk of IHD. We aim to determine differences between these classes of antihypertensive agents in minimizing IHD. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis from a tri-institutional database. Inclusion criteria were unilateral transabdominal adrenalectomy for pheochromocytomas between 2002 and 2012. IHD was defined as at least one systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurement >160 mm Hg and at least one episode of mean arterial pressure 60 mm Hg. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were included: 110 receiving calcium channel blockers, 41 alpha-blockade, and 4 no medication. Intraoperatively, mean maximal SBP was less after alpha-blockade (P < .0001) as well as the incidence and duration of episodes of SBP >200 mm Hg (P < .01); however, severe hypotensive episodes (MAP <60 mm Hg) were more frequent (P < .001) and longer (P < .0001) with alpha-blockade. Consequently, intraoperative vasoactive drugs were used more frequently (P = .03), and mean fluid volume infused was larger (P < .001). Fifty-four patients had IHD, but these were independent of type of preoperative medication used. Familial disease was the only independent predictor of IHD. CONCLUSION: IHD was independent of type of preoperative medical management but was dependent on familial disease. These findings broaden options for clinicians in the preoperative management of pheochromocytoma.