<bold>The aim of the study</bold> was to present own experience in the treatment of adrenal pathology using laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) via lateral transperitoneal approach.
<bold>Material and methods.</bold> From 29.10.1997 to 30.04.2008 in the Department of General, Vascular and Transplant Surgery of Warsaw Medical University 417 LA have been performed in 405 patients. The indications were 195 (48%) non-functioning incidentaloma type tumors and 210 (52%) functioning tumors. Among them hypercortisolism in 66 (31.5%) patients (Cushing's disease - 3, Cushing's syndrome -28, subclinical Cushing's syndrome - 35), pheochromocytoma in 82 (39%), Conn's syndrome in 61 (29%) and adrenogenital syndrome in 1 (0.5%). There where 288 (71%) women and 117 (29%) men with the mean age of 51.8 years. The mean size of adrenal tumor was 41.1 mm. In 62 (15%) bilateral lesions were noted. All patients were operated laparoscopically via lateral transabdominal approach.
<bold>Results.</bold> LA was successful in 393 patients (97%). We performed 393 (97%) unilateral LA, 10 (2.5%) bilateral simultaneous LA, 2 (0.5%) bilateral two-staged LA and also 2 (0.5%) sparing LA. 12 (3%) patients underwent simultaneous LA with laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and 2 (0,5%) with laparoscopic umbilical hernioplasty. 12 (3%) conversions were necessary. 15 (3.7%) complications occurred, 3 (0.7%) intraoperative and 12 (3%) postoperative. There was 1 remote death on the 56th postoperative day.
<bold>Conclusions.</bold> 1. LA should be recognize as the referential method in the treatment of adrenal pathology. 2. Results, as well as avoiding unnecessary complications and intraoperative difficulties is possible thanks to: close cooperation with the endocrinologist, experience gained from performing other laparoscopic operations, experience got at making open adrenalectomies.
