Robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy: what is the best?

Abstract

Evaluation of: Karabulut K, Agcaoglu O, Aliyev S et al. Comparison of intraoperative time use and perioperative outcomes for robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Surgery 151(4), 537–542 (2012)

Currently, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is regarded as the preferred surgical approach for the management of most adrenal surgical disorders. Despite the benefits of laparoscopic adrenalectomy over open approaches, the procedure has shortcomings such as the absence of 3D perception, reduced dexterity and poor ergonomics for the surgeon. Recently, robotic technology has been introduced and could theoretically improve the laparoscopic adrenalectomy procedure and lead to improved perioperative and postoperative outcomes. A recent study by Karabulut et al. provides a comparison of intraoperative time analysis and perioperative outcomes for robotic adrenalectomy versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy. These data suggest that the use of a robotic system could improve perioperative outcomes when performing an adrenalectomy.

Keywords::

• adrenalectomy
• adrenal glands
• laparoscopy
• outcomes assessment
• robotics

Financial & competing interests disclosure

L Brunaud has received support for teaching and research in the institution through Intuitive Surgical. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.