A comparative study of multiport versus laparoendoscopic single-site adrenalectomy for benign adrenal tumors

Background The safety and feasibility of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) adrenalectomy for benign adrenal lesions was proved in early clinical series. However, the advantages of LESS over multiport laparoscopic adrenalectomy still are under investigation. Methods Since October 2009, the authors have prospectively performed LESS retroperitoneal adrenalectomy for 21 consecutive patients with benign adrenal tumors (LESS group). Another 28 patients with benign adrenal tumors were prospectively collected between June 2006 and October 2009 and served as a multiport laparoscopic adrenalectomy group. The patients' demographic data, operating time, estimated blood loss, peri- and postoperative complications, and short-term outcome were collected for further analysis. Results The demographic data were comparable between the two groups in terms of the patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), laterality, diagnosis, and resected specimen weight. No major complication or mortality occurred in either group. Neither group had any conversions. No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic status or peri- or postoperative complications. The LESS patients had quicker resumption of oral intake (0.18 vs 1 day; p < 0.001), a shorter hospital stay (2 vs 4 days; p < 0.001), and a reduced analgesic requirement postoperatively (0 vs 0.84 mg/kg; p = 0.023) than the multiport laparoscopic patients. Conclusions The results demonstrate that LESS adrenalectomy is as safe and effective as conventional multiport laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign adrenal tumors. In addition, LESS adrenalectomy provides short-term convalescence advantages over multiport laparoscopic adrenalectomy.