Contralateral Suppression in Adrenal Venous Sampling Predicts Clinical and Biochemical Outcome in Primary Aldosteronism.

CONTEXT: The role of hormone parameters at adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in predicting clinical and biochemical outcomes remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of hormone parameters at AVS under cosyntropin stimulation on lateralization and on complete biochemical and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 150 sequential AVS under cosyntropin infusion. The bilateral successful cannulation rate was 83.3% (n = 140), 47.9% bilateral and 52.1% unilateral. The lateralization index, aldosterone/cortisol ratio (A/C) in the dominant adrenal vein (AV), and relative aldosterone secretion index (RASI = A/C in AV divided by A/C in inferior vena cava) were assessed. The contralateral suppression (CS) percentage was defined by (1 - nondominant RASI) * 100. RESULTS: A nondominant RASI <0.5 (CS >50%) had 86.84% sensitivity and 92.96% specificity to predict contralateral lateralization. An A/C ratio in dominant AV >5.9 (74.67% sensitivity and 80% specificity) and dominant RASI >4.7 (35.21% sensitivity and 88.06% specificity) had the worst performance to predict ipsilateral lateralization. Complete biochemical and clinical cure was significantly more frequent in the patients with CS >50% [98.41% vs 42.86% (P < .001) and 41.94% vs 0% (P < .001)]. CS correlated with high aldosterone at diagnosis (P < .001) and low postoperative aldosterone levels at 1 month (P = .019). Postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism was more frequent in patients with CS >50% (70% vs 16.67%, P = .014). In multivariable analysis, a CS >50% was associated with complete biochemical cure [odds ratio (OR) 125, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.904-5000; P = .001] and hypertension remission (OR 12.19, 95% CI 2.074-250; P = .023). CONCLUSION: A CS >50% was an independent predictor of complete clinical and biochemical cure. Moreover, it can predict unilateral primary aldosteronism and postoperative biochemical hypoaldosteronism. Our findings underscore the usefulness of CS for clinical decision-making.

Outcomes after laparoscopic adrenalectomy for unilateral primary aldosteronism.

Unilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common surgically correctable cause of hypertension. Determination of success after laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is limited by the lack of standardized criteria. We sought to evaluate the surgical recurrence and functional outcomes of LA in patients with Conn's syndrome applying the primary aldosteronism surgical outcome (PASO) Criteria. Descriptive observational analysis of patients treated with LA due to confirmed u nilateral Conn's syndrome between May 2007 and August 2020: Twenty patients were included in the cohort; 16 patients had TLA and other four PLA [58% male, median age 47 (IQR: 44-59.5) years and median follow-up of 64 (IQR: 2-156) ] months. Median tumor size was 1.2 (0.8-1.8) cm. No conversions to open surgery were recorded and the overall morbidity of the series was 1/20. No surgical or biochemical recurrence was observed. Five patients were excluded from the analysis of functional results due to lack of follow-up. According to the PASO criteria, complete, partial, and no success were observed in 8/15, 6/15, and 1/15, respectively. The surgical treatment of the disease is supported by the literature, and we were able to reproduce the results of other series. The use of standardized and reproducible criteria to assess its functional results would be essential for a more complete and integrated evaluation of adrenal surgery.

El hiperaldosteronismo primario es la causa más frecuente de hipertensión secundaria pasible de tratamiento quirúrgico. La determinación del éxito de la adrenalectomía laparoscópica (AL), actualmente, está limitada por la falta de criterios estandarizados. Buscamos evaluar la tasa de recurrencia quirúrgica y los resultados funcionales de la AL en pacientes con Síndrome de Conn aplicando los criterios PASO (primary aldosteronism surgical outcome). Análisis descriptivo y observacional de pacientes tratados con AL en contexto de síndrome de Conn unilateral confirmado, entre Mayo-2007 y Agosto-2020. Se incluyeron 20 pacientes en el estudio; 16 pacientes tratados mediante AL total y 4 con AL parcial (55% hombres, edad mediana de 47 (IQR: 44-59.5) años y mediana de seguimiento 64 (IQR: 2-156) meses. La mediana de tamaño tumoral fue de 1.2 (0.8-1.8) cm. No se registraron conversiones a cirugía abierta y la morbilidad global de la serie: 1/20. No se observó recurrencia quirúrgica o bioquímica. Se excluyeron 5 pacientes en el análisis de resultados funcionales por falta de seguimiento. Según los criterios PASO, se observó un éxito completo, parcial y ausente en 8/15, 6/15 y 1/15, respectivamente. El tratamiento quirúrgico de la enfermedad es avalado por la literatura y pudimos reproducir los resultados de otras series. El uso estandarizado y reproducible de criterios para valorar sus resultados funcionales sería fundamental para una evaluación más completa e integrada de la cirugía suprarrenal.

Early Renin Recovery After Adrenalectomy in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas: A Prospective Study.

The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship and the time of aldosterone and renin recoveries at immediate and long-term follow-up in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) patients who underwent adrenalectomy. Prospective and longitudinal protocol in a cohort of APA patients was followed in a single center. Among 43 patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), thirteen APA patients were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected for aldosterone, renin, potassium, creatinine, cortisol, and ACTH before and 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 270, 360 days after adrenalectomy. At diagnosis, most patients (84%) had hypokalemia and high median aldosterone levels (54.8; 24.0-103 ng/dl) that decreased to undetectable (<2.2) or very low (<3.0) levels between fifth to seventh days after surgery; then, between 3-12 months, its levels gradually increased to the lower normal range. The suppressed renin (2.3; 2.3-2.3 mU/l) became detectable between the fifteen and thirty days after surgery, remaining normal throughout the study. The aldosterone took longer than renin to recover (60 vs.15 days; p<0.002) and patients with higher aldosterone had later recovery (p=0.03). The cortisol/ACTH levels remained normal despite the presence of a post-operative hypoaldosteronism. Blood pressure and antihypertensive requirement decreased after adrenalectomy. In conclusion, our prospective study shows the borderline persistent post-operative hypoaldosteronism in the presence of early renin recovery indicating incapability of the zona glomerulosa of the remaining adrenal gland to produce aldosterone. These findings contribute to the comprehension of differences in renin and aldosterone regulation in APA patients, although both are part of the same interconnected system.

Challenges in obesity and primary aldosteronism: Diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients may have unrecognized primary aldosteronism due to high rates of concomitant hypertension. We hypothesized that obesity impacts the diagnosis and management of patients with primary aldosteronism. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all primary aldosteronism patients (n = 418) who underwent adrenal vein sampling (1997-2017). Patients were classified by body mass index as obese (body mass index ≥35) or nonobese (body mass index <35) and diagnostic evaluation was compared between groups. Within the operative cohort (n = 285), primary outcomes were changes in both blood pressure and antihypertensive medications after adrenalectomy. Secondary outcome was clinical resolution by Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcomes criteria. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of patients were obese. Obese patients were more likely to be male (67.8% vs 56.1%, P = .025), somewhat younger (51.5 vs 54.4 years old, P < .012), and require more preoperative antihypertensive medications (6.7 vs 5.7, P = .04) than nonobese patients. Obese patients had lesser rates of radiologic evidence of adrenal tumors (68.4 vs 77.9%, P = .038) despite similar rates of lateralization on adrenal vein sampling. In the operative subset, obese patients had somewhat smaller tumors on final pathology (1.1 vs 1.5 cm, P = .014) but similar rates of complete and partial clinical resolution (P = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Obese primary aldosteronism patients have lesser rates of localization by imaging, likely due to smaller tumor size, however, experience similar benefit from adrenalectomy.

KCNJ5 Somatic Mutation Is a Predictor of Hypertension Remission After Adrenalectomy for Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism.

CONTEXT: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension (HT). HT remission (defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg without antihypertensive drugs) has been reported in approximately 50% of patients with unilateral PA after adrenalectomy. HT duration and severity are predictors of blood pressure response, but the prognostic role of somatic KCNJ5 mutations is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and molecular features associated with HT remission after adrenalectomy in patients with unilateral PA. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients with PA (60 women; median age at diagnosis 48 years with a median follow-up of 26 months). Anatomopathological analysis revealed 90 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 1 carcinoma, and 9 unilateral adrenal hyperplasias. All patients had biochemical cure after unilateral adrenalectomy. KCNJ5 gene was sequenced in 76 cases. RESULTS: KCNJ5 mutations were identified in 33 of 76 (43.4%) tumors: p.Gly151Arg (n = 17), p.Leu168Arg (n = 15), and p.Glu145Gln (n = 1). HT remission was reported in 37 of 100 (37%) patients. Among patients with HT remission, 73% were women (P = 0.04), 48.6% used more than three antihypertensive medications (P = 0.0001), and 64.9% had HT duration <10 years (P = 0.0015) compared with those without HT remission. Somatic KCNJ5 mutations were associated with female sex (P = 0.004), larger nodules (P = 0.001), and HT remission (P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, only a somatic KCNJ5 mutation was an independent predictor of HT remission after adrenalectomy (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The presence of a KCNJ5 somatic mutation is an independent predictor of HT remission after unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with unilateral PA.

Treatment of aldosterone-secreting adrenocortical tumors in cats by unilateral adrenalectomy: 10 cases (2002-2012).

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) in cats occurs as a consequence of excessive hormone production by an adrenocortical tumor. Median survival time, association between tumor type and prognosis, and the likelihood that cats require continued medical therapy after surgery have not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the median survival time of cats with PHA treated by unilateral adrenalectomy. To examine if tumor type, anesthesia time, or tumor location (left or right side) affect survival and if affected cats require continued postoperative treatment for persistent hypertension or hypokalemia. ANIMALS: Ten client-owned cats. METHODS: Retrospective study. Cats were diagnosed with PHA based on clinical signs, increased plasma aldosterone concentration, and advanced imaging. Cats underwent unilateral adrenalectomy. Survival time (days alive after surgery) was determined for each cat. Factors affecting median survival time were investigated, including histopathology, anesthesia time, and location (side) of the tumor. RESULTS: Eight of 10 cats survived to discharge from the hospital post adrenalectomy. Overall median survival was 1,297 days (range 2-1,582 days). The only significant factor affecting median survival time was anesthesia time >4 hours. Tumor type and location (side) did not significantly affect median survival time. No cats required continued medical treatment for PHA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although PHA in cats is still considered an uncommon condition, it should be considered in middle to older aged cats with hypokalemic polymyopathy and systemic hypertension. Surgical correction by unilateral adrenalectomy is a viable approach to definitive treatment of PHA with no need for continued medical management.

[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: the best surgical option]. / Suprarrenalectomia laparoscópica: la mejor opción de tratamiento quirúrgico.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic approach has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of suprarenal gland. Nevertheless there is still controversy about the laparoscopic treatment of adrenal carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April 2005 to April 2012, 37 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed. We describe and analyze retrospectively: age, sex, side, indication for surgery, tumor size, length of hospital stay, complications and conversion rate. RESULTS: 37 Patients, 19 male and 18 female, aged 51.72 ± 14.42 years, were operated on between 2005 and 2012. Twenty-two left-sided lesions (59.45%) and 15 right-sided lesions (40.54%) were operated on. The indications for surgery were non-functioning adenoma larger than 4 cm or rapid growth and hormone-secreting tumours. The diagnosis was confirmed in all the cases with computed tomography and or magnetic resonance imaging and also metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy if pheochromocytoma was suspected. In all the cases we realized a complete pre-operative hormonal study. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe procedure and gold standard technique for suprarenal surgery. Our experience is very satisfactory, with comparable results to the reference standard open approach.

Antecedentes: la vía de acceso laparoscópico es la técnica de elección en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la glándula suprarrenal, excepto del carcinoma suprarrenal. Objetivo: revisar nuestra experiencia en suprarrenalectomías laparoscópicas por vía lateral transperitoneal efectuadas entre los años 2005 y 2012. Material y método: estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo efectuado mediante la revisión de historias clínicas de 37 pacientes con diagnóstico, al alta, de tumor adrenal y a quienes se hizo adrenalectomía laparoscópica entre abril de 2005 y abril de 2012. Se consideraron los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, lateralidad, indicación quirúrgica, resultados anatomopatológicos, tamaño de la lesión, estancia hospitalaria, tasa de conversión y complicaciones perioperatorias. Resultados: durante el periodo de estudio se intervinieron 37pacientes (19 varones y 18 mujeres) con edad media de 51.72 ± 14.42 años. Se realizaron 22adrenalectomías izquierdas (59.45%) y 15 derechas (40.54%). Las indicaciones de suprarrenalectomía fueron: incidentaloma mayor de 4 cm o con crecimiento rápido y tumores productores de hormonas. El diagnóstico se confirmó con tomografía computada, resonancia magnética, o ambas, y con gammagrafía metaiodobencilguanidina en el caso de sospecha de feocromocitoma y estudio hormonal completo en todos los pacientes. Conclusiones: la suprarrenalectomía laparoscópica sigue siendo la técnica de elección en el tratamiento de pacientes con afectación de la glándula suprarrenal porque ha demostrado ser segura y eficaz, como quedó confirmado en nuestra serie, que tuvo resultados similares a los de la bibliografía.

[Partial laparoscopic adrenalectomy in primary hyperaldosteronism]. / Adrenalectomía parcial laparoscópica en hiperaldosteronismo primario.

INTRODUCTION: primary hyperaldosteronism is one of the few potentially curable causes of secondary arterial hypertension. One of the most important variants is the adenoma of the adrenal cortex that produces aldosterona (Conn's Syndrome). The treatment of choice in this subgroup of patients was the removal of the lesion. An initial series of patients with aldosteronoma subjected to partial laparoscopic adrenalectomy is presented. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We examined the case selection and methods applied to hypertensive patients subjected to partial laparoscopic adrenalectomy between November 2001 and March 2004 due to primary hyperaldosteronism. They all presented an imaging study (CT scan) compatible with a tumour of the adrenal cortex and, in two patients the lesion was bilateral. One patient had a history of incidental adrenalectomy during and open colecistectomy performed some years previously. RESULTS: we operated on 16 patients, 13 of them women and 3 men, with a mean age of 55.4 years. We performed 18 laparoscopic adrenalectomies: 17 conservative operations and one total adrenalectomy of a 4.3 cm tumour in a patient with bilateral lesion. The mean duration of the operations was 70.9 minutes, with a mean bleeding rate of 30 ml. There were no complications or the need to resort to open surgery. Postoperative hospital stay was 2.8 days. In all the cases, the hypertension improved totally or partially. CONCLUSION: although small, the series confirmed that partial laparoscopic suprarenalectomy can be performed with good results and with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

[Primary hyperaldosteronism. Report of two cases]. / Hiperaldosteronismo primário. Relato de dois casos.

The authors present two cases of primary hyperaldosteronism, caused by functioning adenoma of the adrenal's cortex. The two females patients presented classic symptoms of the Conn's disease, especially hypokalemia and hypertension. Both were operated and unilateral adrenalectomy was done, with excellent outcome in one and satisfactory in the other one. It is discussed many aspects related to the incidence, the problems with the diagnosis, indication and surgery treatment.

Hiperaldosteronismo primário: relato de dois casos / Primary hyperaldosteronism: report of two cases

The authors present two cases of Primary Hiperaldosteronism, caused by functioning adenoma of the adrenal's cortex. The two females patients presented classic symptoms of the Conn's disease, especially hypocalemia and hypertension. Both were operated and unilateral adrenalectomy was done, with excelent outcome in one and satisfactory in the other one. It is discussed many aspects related to the incidence, the problems with the diagnosis, indication and surgery treatment.

Las formas clínicas del aldosteronismo primario curables con cirugía: [revisión] / Identification of the surgically curable subtypes of primary aldosteronism: [review]

La identificación de las formas quirúrgicamente corregibles de aldosteronismo primario (AP) requiere implementar la medición en sangre venosa suprarrenal (M-SVS) para demostrar la lateralización del exceso de aldosterona. En los pacientes con AP y secreción lateralizada de aldosterona, la suprarrenalectomía puede permitir la normalización de la presión arterial a largo plazo, así como la corrección del AP. En esta presentación resumimos los criterios para la selección de los pacientes candidatos a la M-SVS, la técnica para su realización y los parámetros para el análisis e interpretación de sus resultados.(AU)

Las formas clínicas del aldosteronismo primario curables con cirugía: [revisión] / Identification of the surgically curable subtypes of primary aldosteronism: [review]

La identificación de las formas quirúrgicamente corregibles de aldosteronismo primario (AP) requiere implementar la medición en sangre venosa suprarrenal (M-SVS) para demostrar la lateralización del exceso de aldosterona. En los pacientes con AP y secreción lateralizada de aldosterona, la suprarrenalectomía puede permitir la normalización de la presión arterial a largo plazo, así como la corrección del AP. En esta presentación resumimos los criterios para la selección de los pacientes candidatos a la M-SVS, la técnica para su realización y los parámetros para el análisis e interpretación de sus resultados.

Adrenalectomía laparoscópica: reporte de un caso / Laparoscopic adrenalectomy case report

Se practicó adrenalectomía laparoscópica a una paciente femenina de 49 años de edad, con diagnóstico de tumor suprarrenal derecho con hiperaldosteronismo primario. El abordaje que se utilizó fue el laparoscópico transabdominal con cuatro puertos de trabajo. La paciente egresó en buenas condiciones, con mejoría de sus comorbilidades, sin complicaciones...(AU)

Adrenalectomía laparoscópica: reporte de un caso / Laparoscopic adrenalectomy case report

Se practicó adrenalectomía laparoscópica a una paciente femenina de 49 años de edad, con diagnóstico de tumor suprarrenal derecho con hiperaldosteronismo primario. El abordaje que se utilizó fue el laparoscópico transabdominal con cuatro puertos de trabajo. La paciente egresó en buenas condiciones, con mejoría de sus comorbilidades, sin complicaciones...

Adrenalectomía laparoscópica para hiperaldosterismo primario / Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosterism

Se describe nuestra experiencia en adrenalectomía laparoscópica del hiperaldosteronismo primario. Material y Métodos: De una serie total de 214 adrenalectomías laparoscópicas realizadas en nuestra institución entre junio de 1996 y diciembre de 2005, 34 corresponden a adrenalectomías laparoscópicas por hiperaldosteronismo primario. Todas se han realizado por vía transperitoneal en decúbito lateral, 13 derechas, 17 izquierdas y dos bilaterales. Resultados: No hubo conversión a cirugía abierta en ningún paciente. El sangrado promedio fue de 22,5 ml. No fue necesaria transfusión. Se realizaron 18 adrenalectomías totales y 16 tumorectomías. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio es de 72,5 min. El tiempo de hospitalización promedio es de 2,1 días. El tamaño de la lesión promedio fue de 2,8 cm. En la comparación con lo reportado en la literatura se encuentran resultados similares a los obtenidos por nuestra serie. Conclusiones: Nos parece que se confirma que la adrenalectomía laparoscópica es el método.

Objective: To describe our experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism. Materials and Methods: Among a general series of 214 laparoscopic adrenalectomies, we performed 34 procedures in 32 patients for the management of primary aldosteronism, between june 1996 and december 2005. All of the patients presented with hypertension and adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia demonstrated by CT scan. All of them underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: 13 on the right side, 17 on the left side and two bilateral. Results: There were no conversions to open surgery. Mean blood loss was 22.5 mL. There was no need for transfusion in any patient. We performed 16 enucleations and 18 total adrenalectomies. Mean operative time was 72.5 min. Mean hospital stay was 2.1 days. Mean specimen size was 2.8 cm. Our results are comparable to other international series. Conclusion: In agree with the total results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism, we confirm that this procedure is the method of choice for the treatment of this pathology.

Increased diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, including surgically correctable forms, in centers from five continents.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common form of endocrine hypertension previously believed to account for less than 1% of hypertensive patients. Hypokalemia was considered a prerequisite for pursuing diagnostic tests for PA. Recent studies applying the plasma aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio (ARR) as a screening test have reported a higher prevalence. This study is a retrospective evaluation of the diagnosis of PA from clinical centers in five continents before and after the widespread use of the ARR as a screening test. The application of this strategy to a greater number of hypertensives led to a 5- to 15-fold increase in the identification of patients affected by PA. Only a small proportion of patients (between 9 and 37%) were hypokalemic. The annual detection rate of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) increased in all centers (by 1.3-6.3 times) after the wide application of ARR. Aldosterone-producing adenomas constituted a much higher proportion of patients with PA in the four centers that employed adrenal venous sampling (28-50%) than in the center that did not (9%). In conclusion, the wide use of the ARR as a screening test in hypertensive patients led to a marked increase in the detection rate of PA.

[Conn's syndrome: surgical experience]. / Síndrome de Conn: una experiencia quirúrgica.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism is a syndrome clinically characterized by systemic arterial hypertension and hypokalemia that occurs most frequently as a consequence of the excessive production of aldosterone by adrenal cortical hyperplasia or a functioning tumor. Surgical resection of the tumor leads to cure of the disease in most patients. The aim of this study was to analyze a series of patients with an adrenal aldosterone-producing tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical records of 13 patients with Conn syndrome were reviewed analyzing the clinical presentation, diagnosis, localizing techniques, treatment and follow-up with emphasis in the postoperative outcome of hypertension and serum potassium. RESULTS: From a total of 105 patients who underwent adrenalectomy in a 12-year period (August 1991-February 2003), 13 patients were operated on to remove an adrenal aldosterone-producing tumor. Mean age was of 43 +/- 11 years, 8 were women and 5 men. All presented with arterial hypertension and 11 also had hypokalemia. Diagnosis of Conn syndrome was established by laboratory tests and an adrenal tumor was found by image studies in all patients. Open adrenalectomy was performed in 2 patients and 11 underwent a laparoscopic procedure. There was neither surgical morbidity nor mortality. The histological analysis established the diagnosis of adenoma in 12 patients and carcinoma in 1. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.1 days. A total of 12 patients became normotensive after surgery and potassium levels returned to normal in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Conn syndrome was present in 12% of patients undergoing adrenal surgery. Arterial hypertension, low plasma renin activity levels, and hypokalemia were present in all patients. Image studies were able to localize the tumor in all cases and surgical resection of the tumor lead to normal arterial blood pressure in 92% of the patients and eukalemia in 100%.

Suprarrenalectomía laparoscópica transperitoneal: comparación con el abordaje posterior abierto / Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: comparison with open posterior approach

Antecedentes y objetivos: Este estudio analiza los resultados de una serie de pacientes portadores de tumores adrenales operados por laparoscópica (AL), y los compara con otra serie de enfermos operados por lumbotomía posterior (AP) a través del lecho de la 11ma. costilla. Población y métodos: Se operaron 35 enfermos (23 hombres y 12 mujeres) realizándose 36 (AL), edad promedio 45.3 a. Feocromocitoma (F) 12, adenoma funcionante 13, incidentalomas 6, hiperaldosteronismo primario (HP) 3 e hiperplasia bilateral 1. Tamaño promedio 4.7 cm. Se comparó con otro grupo de 23 AP en 22 pacientes (14 hombres y 8 mujeres). Edad promedio 44 a. Feocromocitoma 13, adenoma funcional 7, incidentaloma 1, HP 2 e hiperplasia bilateral 2. Resultados: No hubo diferencia significativa entre ambas series en cuanto a edad (P=0,076) y tamaño (P=0,06). Cinco pacientes (14.3 por ciento) fueron convertidos a la vía anterior, 13,8 por ciento del total de AL (5/36), (hemorragia 1, cirugías previas 2, F maligno 1 y tumor > 10 cm, 1). La diferencia entre ambas series fue significativa (AL vs AP) en cuanto al tiempo quirúrgico promedio (TQP) 130 vs 146 (P=0,02); días de internación 2,7 vs 6,2 (P=0,0001) y transfusión de sangre 16 vs 91 por ciento (P=0,001). No hubo significativa en las complicaciones 20 vs 22,7 por ciento (P=0,38). Un paciente (2,8 por ciento) falleció en las AL. Conclusiones: La AL es un procedimiento seguro. Ofrece mejores resultados a los de la AP (menor estadía hospitalaria, menor tiempo quirúrgico y menor índice de transfusiones). La única muerte del grupo de AL no puede ser atribuida al método. La curva de aprendizaje muestra que 9 es el número de procedimientos mínimos necesarios para realizar la técnica con los estándares internacionales (AU)