Preliminary experience of robotic adrenalectomy for children with adrenal tumor

Objective To evaluate the outcomes and safety of robotic-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy for children with adrenal tumor. Methods A retrospective study was performed in five patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy from October 2013 to January 2017. Results There were 3 boys and 2 girls with an average age of 7 (5-10) years.The involved side was left (n=2) and right (n=3). There were abdominal pain (n=2), clitoral hypertrophy (n=1) and ultrasonic detection (n=2). All procedures were successfully performed without any conversion into open surgery.The average operative duration was 153 (91-206) min, the mean estimated volume of blood loss 33 (5-50) ml and the mean tumor diameter 4.8(4-7) cm.Histopathological examination hinted at ganglioneuromas (n=4) and oncocytoma (n=1). All of them recovered well postoperatively.The mean hospital stay was 6 (4-7) days.During a mean follow-up period of 30 (14-53) months, there was no onset of recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robotic-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be safely and effectively performed for pediatric adrenal tumor. Key words: Child; Robotics; Laparoscopes; Adrenal gland neoplasms