PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this paper is to define the current role of laparoscopy in the management of surgical adrenal diseases evaluating the surgical aspects, the indications and contraindications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, focusing also on the most innovative tendencies in the laparoscopic adrenal-preserving surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent publications have described some interesting new indications that need to be confirmed by long-term follow up. The present review mainly focuses on defining the state of the art of current adrenal laparoscopic surgery. SUMMARY: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is becoming the 'platinum standard' for the treatment of the adrenal surgical diseases and it should be considered the treatment of choice for benign adrenal diseases. In cases of malignancy and conservative surgery, adrenalectomy appears to be very promising, although a longer follow up and further studies are still needed to accurately assess the role played by these procedures. Finally, who should do laparoscopic adrenalectomy? Every patient who requires the ablation of the adrenal should receive laparoscopic opportunity. And the surgeons? Only those with advanced laparoscopic skills and a good knowledge of adrenal anatomy and pathophysiology will obtain the same excellent results currently reported in the literature.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this paper is to define the current role of laparoscopy in the management of surgical adrenal diseases evaluating the surgical aspects, the indications and contraindications of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, focusing also on the most innovative tendencies in the laparoscopic adrenal-preserving surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent publications have described some interesting new indications that need to be confirmed by long-term follow up. The present review mainly focuses on defining the state of the art of current adrenal laparoscopic surgery. SUMMARY: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is becoming the 'platinum standard' for the treatment of the adrenal surgical diseases and it should be considered the treatment of choice for benign adrenal diseases. In cases of malignancy and conservative surgery, adrenalectomy appears to be very promising, although a longer follow up and further studies are still needed to accurately assess the role played by these procedures. Finally, who should do laparoscopic adrenalectomy? Every patient who requires the ablation of the adrenal should receive laparoscopic opportunity. And the surgeons? Only those with advanced laparoscopic skills and a good knowledge of adrenal anatomy and pathophysiology will obtain the same excellent results currently reported in the literature.