ADRENALECTOMY VIA THE DORSAL APPROACH - A BENCHMARK FOR LAPAROSCOPIC ADRENALECTOMY

Purpose: We reviewed our experience with posterior surgical excision of aldosteronomas. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review identified 40 consecutive cases performed by 1 surgeon. Results: Mean patient age was 46 years and mean blood loss was 237 cc. There was no perioperative mortality or intraoperative complications. Times to unassisted ambulation and return to a normal diet were 2.2 and 2.4 days, respectively, with a mean postoperative hospital stay of 4.4 days. Conclusions: The removal of aldosteronomas via the dorsal approach is a safe reliable technique with acceptable morbidity. These results provide a benchmark by which the results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be judged.