Our aim was to analyze the results of adrenalectomy in adrenal pheochromocytoma patients.

Prospective study of all cases with pheochromocytoma operated in our department from 2010 to 2022.

Of the 179 adrenalectomies, 27 (15.1%) were diagnosed with pheochromocytoma (mean age: 55±6.7 years, women 55.5%). Twenty-four of them (88.9%) had sporadic disease, 2 (7.4%) MEN2A and one (3.7%) MEN2B syndrome. Twenty-six (96.3%) presented symptoms with a mean duration of 5.4±0.6 years. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was conducted in 19 (70.4%), open in 6 (22.2%) and conversion to open in 2 (7.4%). Nine cases (33.3%) were right and 18 (66.7%) left tumors. Mean tumor diameter was 6.2±0.8 cm (range: 1.8-11 cm). Operative and anesthesia time was 109±10.5 min and 145±14.3 min respectively. Intraoperative hemodynamic instability was reported in 5 (18.5%) patients. Six cases (22.2%) presented postoperative complications: atelectasis, hematoma, hypotension, collection, chylous ascites and chylothorax. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.7±0.6 days. Five tumors (18.5%) are malignant and two (7.4%) with suspicious features. One case (3.7%) has recurred so far.

Adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is safe and effective. It requires, however, great awareness during the perioperative period. Laparoscopic surgery can be performed in several patients but a significant portion of such cases may necessitate open surgery or conversion to an open procedure.