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Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy

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Abstract

A laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic access to the adrenal gland is the standard of care for adrenalectomy in most cases. Although in laparoscopic adrenalectomy the approach is minimally invasive, the procedure is challenging. This is reflected in the scope of possible complications. The surgeon must consider complications related to the anatomical topography of the adrenal gland, which typically encompasses the complications known from open surgery and complications related to the minimal invasive access. In this topic paper we will address the most frequently encountered complications of adrenalectomy: vascular injuries, injuries of the bowel, pleural tears, and injuries to the liver, spleen and pancreas. Fortunately, these complications occur rarely. However, many of these complications can have devastating consequences. Therefore, it’s the surgeon’s obligation to be aware of the possible complications he might encounter during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This awareness is essential for their prevention and it helps the laparoscopic surgeon to identify complications intraoperatively.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Damina Balmer for her excellent assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

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There is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Loëstr. 170, 7000, Chur, Switzerland

    Raeto T. Strebel

  2. Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Michael Müntener & Tullio Sulser

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  1. Raeto T. Strebel
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  2. Michael Müntener
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  3. Tullio Sulser
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Correspondence to Raeto T. Strebel.

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Strebel, R.T., Müntener, M. & Sulser, T. Intraoperative complications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. World J Urol 26, 555–560 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0272-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0272-1

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