Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become a standard technique for the removal of the adrenal gland tumors. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (LRA) is an alternative approach to minimally invasive adrenalectomy, potentially offering less pain and faster recovery compared with open surgery. We evaluated the results of our series of patients who underwent adrenalectomy with the retroperitoneal approach.

A total of 62 laparoscopic adrenalectomy were carried out between February 2012 and December 2024 via the retroperitoneal approach including 36 on the left and 26 on the right side, in 49 women and 13 men. Patient age was 44.6 years ± 11 (range 18 to 69 years).

Mean operative time was 133 ± 44 minutes (range 70 to 270 minutes). Estimated blood loss was 41.5 ml ± 28 (range 20 to 100 ml). The average hospital stay was 3.5 ± 1.2 (range 2 to 6 days). The most common presence was Conn’s syndrome in 33 patients with bilateral hyperplasia in 3, Cushing´s syndrome in 10 with bilateral hyperplasia in 1, and low serum levels of potassium in 41 patients. The average tumor size was 25 ± 10.6mm. (range 10 to 60 mm). 7 patients (11.3%) had a minor complication (Clavien-Dindo I to II). There was a minor bleed in 4 patients due to tumor capsule rupture. There were no conversions to open surgery.

LRA was a safe and efficacy procedure for adrenal tumors.