Subtotal Adrenalectomy for Phaeochromocytoma in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A

Objective: To describe our surgical technique for, and results of, subtotal adrenalectomy for phaeochromocytoma in multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2.Design: Retrospective study.Setting: Teaching hospital, The Netherlands.Subjects: 6 patients (four women and 2 men, mean age 35 years, range 31-46) with MEN type 2 who presented between 1993 and 1996.Interventions: Cortical sparing adrenalectomy (n ≥ 4) together with contralateral total adrenalectomy in bilateral disease (n ≥ 2).Main outcome measures: Morbidity, mortality, adrenal function postoperatively, and recurrence.Results: Cortical sparing adrenalectomy leaving adequate adrenal reserve was possible in all cases. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. Mean follow-up was 40 months (range 13-47). One patient developed a recurrent phaeochromocytoma 24 months after subtotal adrenalectomy.Conclusions: Subtotal adrenalectomy with preservation of adequate adrenal cortical reserve was feasible in all cases. Long term follow-up is necessary to es...