Robotic adrenalectomy: the jury is still out

Adrenal Incidentaloma

An adrenal incidentaloma is now established as a common endocrine diagnosis that requires a multidisciplinary approach for effective management. The majority of patients can be reassured and discharged, but a personalized approach based upon image analysis, endocrine workup, and clinical symptoms and signs are required in every case. Adrenocortical carcinoma remains a real concern but is restricted to <2% of all cases. Functional adrenal incidentaloma lesions are commoner (but still probably <10% of total) and the greatest challenge remains the diagnosis and optimum management of autonomous cortisol secretion. Modern-day surgery has improved outcomes and novel radiological and urinary biomarkers will improve early detection and patient stratification in future years to come.

Perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma

Perioperative hemodynamic instability still remains the biggest surgical and anesthetic challenge in surgery for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this review was to discuss pre-, intra- and postoperative factors that may impact on hemodynamic condition of a patient. It describes patients' preparation with appropriate medication, principles of surgical technique as well as risk factors for development of hemodynamic instability in postoperative period. Currently the gold standard in the treatment of pheochromocytoma is preoperative use of alpha-blockers and laparoscopic surgery. This approach allowed improving outcomes by lowering both mortality and morbidity.