Evaluating the learning curve for retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in a high-volume center for laparoscopic adrenal surgery
Publication year
2017Source
Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, 31, 7, (2017), pp. 2771-2775ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
Urology
Internal Medicine
Journal title
Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques
Volume
vol. 31
Issue
iss. 7
Page start
p. 2771
Page end
p. 2775
Subject
Radboudumc 11: Renal disorders RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Radboudumc 15: Urological cancers RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Radboudumc 16: Vascular damage RIHS: Radboud Institute for Health Sciences; Radboudumc 16: Vascular damage RIMLS: Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesAbstract
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is an effective method for benign adrenal tumor removal. In the literature, both lateral transperitoneal (TLA) and posterior retroperitoneoscopic (RPA) approaches are described. Since 2007, the number of patients increased significantly in our center. Therefore, RPA was introduced in 2011 because of its potential advantages in operating and recovery times. The learning curve of RPA is now evaluated. METHODS: All data of patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy from 2007 until 2014 were prospectively collected. Patients were eligible for RPA with a tumor <7 cm, with BMI < 35 kg/m2, and with low suspicion of malignancy. The learning curve of RPA was measured by operating time. Furthermore, blood loss, preoperative complications and hospital stay were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: In the study period, 290 patients underwent surgery, of whom 113 underwent RPA. After starting with RPA, operating times decreased significantly (median 100 min in the first 20 patients to 60 min after 40 patients, p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in operating times (median 108 vs. 62 min, p < 0.05) and hospital stay (median 4 vs. 3 days, p < 0.05) in unilateral surgery in favor of RPA, compared to TLA. Also in bilateral surgery, operating times were significantly shorter (median 236 vs. 117 min, p < 0.05). In both groups, few major complications occurred. CONCLUSION: After the introduction of RPA, a short learning curve was seen for a single surgeon with extensive experience in laparoscopic adrenal surgery. Compared to TLA, RPA has significant advantages in operating times and hospital stay. Therefore, RPA may be the preferred approach for patients with BMI < 35 kg/m2 and small benign adrenal tumors (<7 cm).
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- Academic publications [229074]
- Electronic publications [111458]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [87745]
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