Comparison of Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy Versus Lateral Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Adrenal Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lesson learned from bariatric surgery: Preventing intra- and perioperative complications in patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Role of ketogenic preoperative diet: A propensity score matching analysis of a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the preferred surgical approach for adrenal resection. The simultaneous presence of obesity and subsequent liver steatosis may complicate the procedure, increasing the risk of intra- and perioperative complications. This study explores the effectiveness of a preoperative very low-calorie ketogenic diet in improving surgical outcomes in patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients from January 2021 to July 2024 at the Bariatric and Endocrine-Metabolic Surgery Unit, University of Naples "Federico II." Among these, 54 patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 were divided into 2 groups: group A, which underwent a 4-week very low-calorie ketogenic diet, and group B, which did not receive any dietary intervention. Propensity score matching was used to balance the groups for confounding factors. Furthermore, a subanalysis between groups was performed according to right and left laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

RESULTS

Group A had a significantly reduced operative time (94.59 ± 54.11 minutes) compared with group B (129.22 ± 51.06 minutes, P = .01). Additionally, group A exhibited fewer perioperative complications (P = .01). The very low-calorie ketogenic diet was also associated with a significant reduction in body mass index from 31.74 ± 1.31 kg/m2 to 29.05 ± 0.99 kg/m2 (P = .001) before surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests preoperative very low-calorie ketogenic diet can significantly improve surgical outcomes in patients with obesity scheduled to adrenal glands surgery. The study supports the integration of dietary interventions into the preoperative management of patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Future research with larger sample sizes and randomized controlled trials is recommended to validate these findings and optimize preoperative care protocols.

Single-Port Robotic Posterior Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy: Current Perspectives, Technical Considerations, and Future Directions

Single-port (SP) robotic posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (SP-PRA) represents a State-of-the-Art innovation in endocrine surgery, offering a minimally invasive approach for adrenal gland resection with significant improvements in surgical precision, cosmetic outcomes, and patient quality of life. The SP robotic system facilitates surgery through a single incision in the back, avoiding the transperitoneal cavity and enabling direct retroperitoneal access to the adrenal gland. This review explores the evolution, techniques, and clinical outcomes of SP-PRA, emphasizing its advantages over traditional multi-port and laparoscopic methods. Enhanced visualization and precise articulation of the SP robotic system minimize trauma to surrounding tissues, leading to fewer complications and faster recovery times. Initial studies suggest superior patient satisfaction due to hidden incisions and excellent postoperative outcomes. However, challenges such as a steep learning curve, high costs, and limited long-term data remain. This review highlights the need for continued research and innovation to optimize the adoption of SP-PRA and expand its indications.

Impact of Obesity on Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic/Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy for Benign or Malignant Adrenal Diseases: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) is one of two laparoscopic procedures used to treat benign and malignant adrenal diseases. Obesity in patients undergoing minimally invasive adrenal surgery is a frequently discussed topic. Our meta-analysis aimed to provide updated evidence by comparing intraoperative and perioperative outcomes on non-obese (NOb) and obese (Ob) patients who underwent RLA due to benign or malignant disease. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science (Science and Social Science Citation Index), and Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)) databases were used to identify articles of interest. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan [Computer program] Version 5.4. Results: The four included comparative studies (809 patients: 552 NOb versus 257 Ob) covered an approximately 15-year-study period (2007-2022). All the included studies were observational in nature. By comparing the Ob and NOb groups, shorter operative time and lower overall postoperative complication rates in the NOb population were recorded through the meta-analysis. Considering the subgroup analysis (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), just the operative time maintained statistical significance. Conclusions: Obesity did not appear to impact RLA safety and effectiveness. Due to important biases (small overall sample size and few analyzed events), the interpretation of our results must be a careful one. Later randomized and multi-center trials may help the confirmation of our results.

Practical consensus for the treatment and follow-up of primary aldosteronism: a multidisciplinary consensus document

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk than essential hypertension. The aim of this consensus is to provide practical clinical recommendations for its surgical and medical treatment, pathology study and biochemical and clinical follow-up, as well as for the approach in special situations like advanced age, pregnancy and chronic kidney disease, from a multidisciplinary perspective, in a nominal group consensus approach of experts from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN), Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC), Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), Spanish Radiology Society (SERAM), Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI), Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC(ML)), Spanish Society of Anatomic-Pathology and Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC).

A 1:1 matched comparison of posterior retroperitoneal and lateral transabdominal adrenalectomy using a robotic platform

BACKGROUND

Posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy is considered less invasive compared with lateral transperitoneal counterpart. There is controversy in the literature about how the two approaches compare regarding perioperative outcomes. Moreover, no studies have compared both approaches while incorporating the use of a robotic platform. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy using a 1:1 matched propensity analysis.

METHODS

Patients who underwent robotic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy were matched 1:1 to patients who underwent robotic lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy between 2008 and 2022 at a single center. Matching factors included diagnosis, tumor size, Gerota's fascia-to-skin distance, and perinephric fat thickness. Perioperative outcomes were compared between groups using the χ2 analysis and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.

RESULTS

A total of 511 robotic adrenalectomies were performed during the study period, of which 77 patients in each group were matched. There was no difference between posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy groups, respectively, in terms of operative time (134 vs 128 min, P = .64), conversion to open (0% vs 0%, P = .99), pain level on a postoperative day 1 (visual analog scale 5 vs 6, P = .14), morphine milligram equivalents used (18 vs 20 morphine milligram equivalents /day, P = .72), length of stay (1 vs 1 day, P = .48), and 90-day complications (2.6% vs 3.9%, P = .65). Estimated blood loss for posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy was statistically lower (5 vs 10 mL, P = .001) but not considered to be clinically significant.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative outcomes of lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy, including those related to recovery, were similar to those of posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy when matched for tumor and patient anthropometric parameters.

Retroperitoneoscopic or Transperitoneal Approach for Neurogenic and Adrenal Tumors in Children? A Comparison on the Way to Enhanced Recovery in Pediatric Surgical Oncology

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery is increasingly utilized for resection of neurogenic tumors in children. The minimally invasive retroperitoneoscopic approach was recently reported in children, but transperitoneal laparoscopy still remains the most common technique. The aim of this study is to compare a novel single-port retroperitoneoscopy (SPR) approach for pediatric neurogenic tumor resection with transperitoneal laparoscopic (TPL).

METHODS

Patients undergoing minimally invasive resection of abdominal neurogenic tumors over 5 years at a single institution (from 2018 to 2022) were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor volume, stage, presence of image-defined risk factors (IDRFs), neoadjuvant chemotherapy, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), complications, oral morphine equivalents per kilogram (OME/Kg), and time to chemotherapy were assessed and compared with SPR and TPL approaches.

RESULTS

Eighteen and fifteen patients underwent TPL and SPR, respectively. No significant differences were found between the TPL and SPR approaches in terms of tumor characteristics and IDRFs. Patients who underwent SPR had a significantly faster recovery (p = 0.008) and less postoperative opioid use compared to those in TPL (p = 0.02), thus allowing an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol application. TPL and SPR approaches were performed in presence of IDRFs, respectively in 2 (11%) and 4 patients (27%), with a IDRFs-related conversion in one TPL procedure. Both approaches had one < Grade 3 Clavien Dindo complication, but not requiring further surgery.

DISCUSSION

SPR approach can be considered as a safe and feasible minimally invasive approach for the resection of pediatric primary adrenal and neurogenic tumors. The retroperitoneoscopic approach performed using a single port technique represents a promising new frontier of ERAS application in pediatric surgical oncology.

CONCLUSION

SPR is a viable surgical alternative in selected neurogenic abdominal tumors with limited IDRFs, thus allowing for the application of ERAS protocols in these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Risk factors for intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and prolonged length of stay after laparoscopic adrenalectomy by transperitoneal lateral approach: a retrospective cohort study of 547 procedures

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the gold standard for the resection of most adrenal lesions. A precise delineation of factors influencing its outcomes is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and prolonged length of stay (LOS) after LA.

METHODS

Patients who underwent LA from 1999 to 2021 in a single-academic-institution were included. Patient and disease-specific data, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications according to Dindo-Clavien (DC) scale, and LOS were recorded. Predictive factors of complications and prolonged LOS were determined by logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified 530 patients who underwent 547 LA. Intraoperative complications occurred in 33 patients (6.0%). Postoperative complications ≥  DC grade 2 occurred in 73 patients (13.35%); severe postoperative complications ≥ DC grade 3 in 14 patients (2.56%). Postoperative complications were positively associated with age ≥ 72 (OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.02-1.29]), intraoperative complications (OR 1.36 [95% CI 1.14-1.63]), and negatively associated with non functional adenomas (OR 0.88 [95% CI 0.7-0.99]), and right adrenalectomy (OR 0.91 [95% CI 0.86-0.97]). Severe postoperative complications were positively associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, OR 1.08 [95% CI 1.00-1.17]), and negatively associated with right adrenalectomy (OR 0.97 [95% CI 0.92-0.99]). Prolonged LOS was associated with age ≥ 72 (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.05-1.41]), and COPD (OR 1.20 [95% CI 1.01-1.44]).

CONCLUSIONS

LA remains safe when performed by surgeons with expertise. Right adrenalectomy resulted in less postoperative overall and severe complications. The risk-benefit equation should be carefully assessed before left LA in older patients with COPD.

Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy may be superior to laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy in terms of costs and profit: a retrospective pair-matched cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

A direct comparison of the cost-benefit analysis of retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (RPA) versus the minimally invasive transperitoneal access (LTA) approach is currently lacking. We hypothesized that RPA is more cost effective than LTA; promising significant savings for the healthcare system in an era of ever more limited resources.

METHODS

We performed a monocentric retrospective observational cohort study based on data from our Endocrine Surgery Registry. Patients who were operated upon between 2019 and 2022 were included. After pair-matching, both cohorts (RPA vs. LTA) were compared for perioperative variables and treatment costs (process cost calculation), revenue and profit.

RESULTS

Two homogenous cohorts of 43 patients each (RPA vs. LTA) were identified following matching. Patient characteristics between the cohorts were comparable. In terms of both treatment-associated costs and profit, the RPA procedure was superior to LTA (costs: US$5789.99 for RPA vs. US$6617.75 for LTA, P = 0.043; profit: US$1235.59 for RPA vs. US$653.33 for LTA, P = 0.027). The duration of inpatient treatment and comorbidities significantly influenced the cost of treatment and the overall profit.

CONCLUSIONS

RPA appears not only to offer benefits over LTA in terms of perioperative morbidity and length of hospital stay, but also has a superior financial cost/benefit profile.

Defining the feasibility of same day adrenalectomy - A prospective matched cohort study

Background

Despite technical advances, day surgery still accounts for <1 % of adrenal procedures. We investigated feasibility and safety of same day adrenalectomy (SDA).

Methods

Between We recruited 30 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) or Cushing's syndrome (CS) into a prospective matched, single centre cohort study to evaluate the impact of exposure to a same day discharge pathway (SDA cohort; n = 10) or inpatient adrenalectomy (PIPA cohort; n = 20). We compared results to a matched cohort (n = 40) from our prospective in-patient adrenalectomy registry (RIPA cohort).

Results

Mean age was 51.3 ± 8.5 years, with 43 % female, 3.3 % ASA I and 96.7 % ASA II. Lesion size was 17 ± 9 mm (range 5-40 mm). 80 % of patients presented with PHA. The predefined primary endpoint (discharge on same calendar day without major complications, emergency presentation or readmission) was achieved in 100 % of SDA, but none of the in-patients (χ² = 57; p < 0.0001). The secondary endpoint (discharge within 23 h of surgery without major complications, emergency presentation or readmission) was achieved in 100 % of SDA, 90 % of PIPA (n.s.), 33 % of RIPA (33 %; χ2 = 14.6 p < 0.001), and 51.5 % of IPA patients (χ2 = 8.5 p < 0.01). Combining SDA and PIPA cohorts, 93.3 % of treatment episodes met widely used (WHO, United States) definitions of day surgery as completion of the hospital care episode within 23 h. Patients admitted for SDA were highly satisfied (100 %).

Conclusion

Same day discharge after adrenalectomy is feasible, safe, and well-perceived in appropriately selected patients with PHA and Cushing's syndrome.

Synchronized Laparoscopic Bilateral Adrenalectomy for Pheochromocytoma in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome: A Case Report

Pheochromocytomas are tumors producing catecholamines that arise from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. They are usually benign in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, but they tend to present bilaterally in 50-80% of the patients. Few researchers have reported success with simultaneous laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy. Hence, we report a 48-year-old woman who presented with a panic attack, headache, and abdominal discomfort that had started 10 years ago. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large bilateral cystic lesion in both adrenal glands in favor of pheochromocytomas (30 × 22 mm and 18 × 15 mm on the right side and 40 × 33 mm and 35 × 28 mm on the left side). The patient underwent bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy without intraoperative or postoperative complications. The total blood loss was 50 cc, and the operative time was 4 h. The histopathology of the specimen revealed pheochromocytomas of adrenal masses. In conclusion, our case demonstrates that synchronized laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy can be a safe and feasible treatment option for pheochromocytomas in MEN2 patients.

The Mount Sinai Clinical Pathway for the Diagnosis and Management of Hypercortisolism due to Ectopic ACTH Syndrome

Neoplasms that secrete ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) may cause severe, life-threatening hypercortisolism. These tumors are often difficult to localize and treat, requiring a comprehensive and systematic management plan orchestrated by a multidisciplinary team. The Mount Sinai Adrenal Center hosted an interdisciplinary retreat of experts in adrenal disorders and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with the aim of developing a clinical pathway for the management of Cushing syndrome due to ectopic ACTH production. The result was institutional recommendations for the diagnosis, localization, surgical approaches to intrathoracic tumors and bilateral adrenalectomy, and perioperative and postoperative medical management of hypercortisolism and its sequelae. Specific recommendations were made regarding the timing and selection of therapies based on the considerations of our team as well as a review of the current literature. Our clinical pathway can be applied by other institutions directly or serve as a guide for institution-specific management.