Current role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now a standard procedure for the vast majority of patients with surgical adrenal disease. Herein, we evaluate various techniques employed during laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and assess the current role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and possible future developments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed large series of reports presenting the results of laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and we compared the data of different series and authors, adding our experience. RESULTS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe, reproducible and effective procedure with low complication rates. With increasing worldwide experience, the indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy are expanding. When retrospectively compared to open surgery, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is superior in terms of postoperative pain, hospital stay, return to normal activity and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and effective option for most surgical adrenal pathologies. Moreover, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is associated with a superior patient tolerance profile. It is safe to say that today, laparoscopy must be considered the first choice procedure for excision of benign surgical adrenal lesions.