Mini-laparoscopic adrenalectomy with transgastric specimen extraction

We aimed to describe the initial experience of mini-laparoscopic adrenalectomy combined with transgastric specimen extraction and to assess its safety and feasibility. We used only 5-mm trocars, three ports for left adrenalectomy and four for right. Intraoperative gastroscopy was performed for specimen extraction through the mouth via an endoscopic snare. The gastrotomy was closed intracorporeally. Demographic, perioperative and pathological data were analyzed. There were 16 patients (12 females) with the mean age of 46.5 ± 11.3 years and half of them had previous abdominal surgeries. The median operative time was 150 (45–432) min with a median blood loss of 88 (0–350) ml. The median oral intake time was 2 (1–4) days and the median length of hospital stay was 2 (2–5) days. There was no mortality and extraction-related complication. Histopathological median tumor length, width and depth were 3 cm, 2.15 cm, and 1.9 cm, respectively. The median specimen length, width and depth were 6.25 cm, 4 cm, and 2.2 cm, respectively. Mini-laparoscopic adrenalectomy combined with transgastric specimen extraction is a safe and feasible surgical technique. It provides a less invasive surgery and may also have some benefits on wound-related complications and cosmesis.