Comparison of the retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy versus transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large (≥6cm) pheochromocytomas: A single-centre retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) and transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (TLA) in the treatment of large (≥6cm) adrenal pheochromocytomas. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of 130 patients with large pheochromocytoma who underwent RLA or TLA in our hospital from 2012 to 2022. The perioperative parameters and follow-up outcomes of the two groups were compared, and univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the risk factors of hemodynamic instability (HI). RESULTS: A total of 57 patients underwent TLA and 73 underwent RLA. There was no difference in demographic characteristics such as age, sex and tumor size between the two groups. Compared with the TLA group, patients in the RLA group had shorter operation time (P<0.001) and less estimated blood loss (EBL) (P<0.001). The time to ambulation, time to oral food and time to removal of drainage of RLA group were earlier than those of TLA group. In addition, the hospital stay was shorter in the RLA group than in the TLA group. There were no differences in HI, complications, or blood pressure (BP) improvement between the two groups. The mean follow-up time was 61.4 and 65.5 months, respectively, during which no tumors recurred or metastasized. Multivariate analysis showed that elevated hormone levels and larger tumor size were independent risk factors for HI. CONCLUSIONS: Both RLA and TLA are effective treatment methods for large pheochromocytomas, but the perioperative outcomes of RLA are better than that of TLA. Our study demonstrates the superiority of RLA for the treatment of large pheochromocytomas.