Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal tumours causing hypertension and for 'incidentalomas' of the adrenal on computerized tomography scanning.

1. In a 19 month period from June 1993 to December 1994, 60 patients (mean age 54.8 +/- 1.5 years s.e.m.; 32 males, 28 females) underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy by one of us (JCR) for the treatment of hypertension due to primary aldosteronism (n = 48), phaeochromocytoma (n = 3) and cortisol-producing adenoma (n = 1) or to remove adrenal massess incidentally discovered on abdominal computerized tomography scanning ('incidentaloma') performed for other reasons (seven adenomas without biochemical evidence of excessive steroid hormone or catecholamine secretion and one carcinoma autonomously producing cortisol). 2. Compared with conventional open procedures, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with reduced recovery time and a low complication rate (one pulmonary embolus and one port site incisional hernia). 3. Operation time with experience approximates that of open procedures (60 min), but is significantly longer in obese than in non-obese patients, and in males than in females. 4. Patients with adrenal causes of hypertension were cured or significantly improved by laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy. 5. Because of our concern regarding malignant potential of incidentalomas and high patient acceptance of laparoscopic techniques, we have reduced our size criteria for removal of incidentalomas.