Author:
Fuentes Marilou B.,Keat Cheah Wei
Abstract
AbstractWith the advent of advances in radiologic imaging, there is an increase in the number of diagnosed cases of Adrenal Incidentaloma (adrenal mass ≥ 1 cm diameter, discovered on imagining done for other organs). Prevalence of which is around 2% and noted to increase with age, affecting 4% of middle-aged and increases to 10% in elderly patients. Tumor of the adrenal gland more than 4 cm in diameter or if the mass enlarges by 1 cm during observation period is recommended to be surgically removed after thorough endocrine clearance. The concept of minimally invasive surgery changed the approach to adrenal tumors but did not changed the indications and goals of treatment [1–4]. Posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy has the advantage of direct approach without mobilizing adjacent structures justifying the shorter operative time and lower blood loss. The only drawback of this technique is the unfamiliar anatomic view of retroperitoneal space [5]. A study on learning curve for retroperitoneoscopic approach done by Barczynski and Walz showed that 20–25 cases should be done by an apprentice under the supervision of an experienced surgeon before being able to have a mean operative time of 90 min [6].
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore