Advances in pheochromocytoma management in the era of laparoscopy.

Purpose: To understand the advances that were made in the management of pheochromocytoma since laparoscopy was initiated at our institution.
Materials and Methods: Data for all patients who underwent surgical procedure for adrenal diseases had been recorded prospectively since September 2000, when laparoscopy was routinely initiated at our institution; all patients with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma up to December 2005 had their data assessed (group 1). Charts for all patients with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma who underwent surgery at our institution from 1990 to 1995 (group 2) were reviewed, and the data were compared with data from patients in group 1.
Results: In group 1, 24 patients with pheochromocytoma underwent 26 procedures at our institution, including five patients with extra-adrenal tumor and one patient with bilateral tumor; 18 adrenalectomies (one bilateral) were performed, and two extra-adrenal tumors were removed using a laparoscopic approach. In group 2, ten open adrenalectomies were performed in 9 patients (1 bilateral). The patients who underwent laparoscopy for either adrenal or extra-adrenal tumor had shorter operative times and hospital stay and less bleeding.
Conclusions: Pheochromocytoma is a complex disease with potentially severe complications. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be safely performed for removal of either adrenal or extra-adrenal tumors. Patients spend a shorter time in the critical care unit after the procedure.