Laparoscopic Bilateral Adrenalectomy with the Transabdominal Lateral Approach

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is a widely accepted method for most adrenal lesions. However, bilateral LA is performed less often than unilateral adrenalectomy. The most common indication for bilateral LA is adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome, including persistent Cushing’s disease following unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery and ectopic ACTH syndrome. Objectives: This retrospective study was conducted to assess the indications, safety, efficacy, and outcomes for bilateral LA with the transabdominal lateral approach. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2004 and February 2022. During the study period, transperitoneal LA was performed on 279 patients, among whom, 258 cases were unilateral LA. Therefore, our analysis included 21 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic bilateral LA with the transabdominal lateral approach. The surgery indication, tumor side and weight, operation time, conversion to open surgery, need for an additional trocar, complications, hospital stay, and follow-up information were analyzed. Results: Indications of bilateral LA were refractory Cushing’s disease (n=14), occult ectopic primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (n=5), ACTH secretion (n=1), and bilateral pheochromocytoma (n=1). The mean operative time was 207.8±21.3 min, including repositioning time. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were seen in 3 (14%) and 4 (19%) patients, respectively. No conversion to open surgery was observed. Median hospital stay was 7 (range, 5-10) days and median follow-up was 81 (range, 55-94.5) months. Three patients died at 62, 64, and 88 months after adrenalectomy due to heart failure, renal failure, and myocardial infarction, respectively. No adrenal insufficiency or signs of recurrent hypercortisolism was observed. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that laparoscopic bilateral LA was safe and effective, allowing acceptable morbidity and hospital stay. The most common surgical indication was ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, followed by ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome. The lateral transperitoneal approach obtains an excellent anatomical view. In our series, operative time and conversion to open surgery rate were in line with the literature.