Retroperitoneoscopic surgery for adrenal cysts: a single-center experience of 14 cases.

Purpose: To evaluate the operative methods and clinical role of retroperitoneoscopic operation for adrenal cysts.

Patients And Methods: Clinical data from five male and nine female patients with a mean age of 43.5 years (range 25-68 years) who underwent retroperitoneoscopic operation for adrenal cysts from February 2000 to May 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. There were six lesions on the left side and eight on the right. The median diameter of the lesions was 8.1 cm (range 4.6-12.5 cm).

Results: Retroperitoneoscopy was successful in all the 14 cases and included 9 cyst decortications and 5 partial adrenalectomies. The median operative time, median blood loss, and mean postoperative hospital stay were 45.5 minutes (range 19-83 minutes), 34.5 mL (range 10-60 mL), and 4.0 +/- 0.8 days, respectively. No major postoperative complications occurred except for one case of subcutaneous emphysema and one of wound infection. The mean analgesic requirement for opioids and diclofenac sodium was 0 and 4.8 +/- 1.1 doses, respectively. With a median follow-up of 12 months (range 6-36 months), no recurrence was found.

Conclusion: As a safe and reliable method, retroperitoneoscopic surgery can be a good treatment option for adrenal cysts.