Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal masses: does size matter?

Objectives: To examine the impact of adrenal tumor size on perioperative morbidity and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Methods: A total of 227 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were divided in three groups according to size as estimated by pathologic specimen maximum diameter: less than 6 cm (group 1, n = 140), between 6 and 7.9 cm (group 2, n = 47), and equal to or larger than 8 cm (group 3, n = 40). We prospectively recorded and analyzed clinical and pathologic data.

Results: Average operative time was 60 minutes (range, 50 to 90 minutes) for group 1, 75 minutes (range, 65 to 105 minutes) for group 2, and 80 minutes (range, 65 to 120 minutes) for group 3. Estimated blood loss, median (interquartile range) was 50 mL (range, 20 to 100 mL), 100 mL (range, 48 to 225 mL), and 100 mL (range, 50 to 475 mL) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. We observed a total of 10, 4, and 4 complications in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Average hospital stay was 2 days (range, 2 to 3 days), 2 days (range, 2 to 3 days), and 3 days (range, 2 to 4 days), respectively, for groups 1, 2, and 3. Operative time, average blood loss, and mean hospital stay were significantly higher (P
Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in large adrenal masses (8 cm or greater) is associated with significantly longer operative time, increased blood loss, and longer hospital stay, without affecting perioperative morbidity.