Retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomy using an endoscopic stapling device in patients with adrenal tumor.

We performed 15 retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomies using an endoscopic stapling device to divide the normal adrenal tissue and adenoma. The mean operating time and mean blood loss were 162 (129-210) min and 12 (5-67) ml, respectively. In 1 patient (6.7%), a pneumothorax occurred at the end of the procedure due to injury of the medial crus of the diaphragm. However, the procedure was not subsequently converted to open surgery. These facts suggest that posterior retroperitoneoscopic partial adrenalectomy is a valuable addition to adrenal gland surgery.