Experience of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Treatment on Pheochromocytoma

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection for pheochromocytoma.

Methods

The clinical data of 131 cases of pheochromocytoma were analyzed retrospectively. There were 69 males and 62 females with an age range of 8 to 77 years, including 120 cases of adrenal pheochromocytoma and 11 extraadrenal pheochromocytomas. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection was performed in all cases. We divided our practical experience into three stages: (1) the tentative and exploratory stage, (2) the accumulative stage, and (3) the mature stage.

Results

During the tentative and exploratory stage, 10 patients underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. The mean diameter of the tumor was 4.2 cm. The mean operation time was 105 minutes, and the median volume of blood loss during surgery was 450 mL. During the accumulative stage, the mean tumor diameter of the 72 cases was 5.6 cm. The mean operation time was 85 minutes and median volume of blood loss was 140 mL. During the mature stage, the mean tumor diameter of the 49 cases (including 11 extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma patients) was 6.7 cm. The mean operation time was 75 minutes and median volume of blood loss was 70 mL. Follow-ups ranging from 1 to 70 months were conducted, with three cases recurring. There were no cases of distant metastases or death.

Conclusions

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma is feasible and safe. This procedure will be increasingly performed as medical personnel continue to develop their skills and accumulate experience.