Background: The study aims to provide a pooled meta-analysis of existing studies that compare the outcomes of retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy with transperitoneal approach for adrenal tumor.
Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed and studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of interest were subjected to meta-analysis using randomized or fixed-effect model to calculate weight mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR). The sensitivity analysis and publication bias test also be conducted.
Results: Nine observational studies with 632 patients were identified (339 retroperitoneal vs. 293 transperitoneal). Retroperitoneal approach was associated with shorter operative time [WMD=-13.10; 95% confidence interval (CI), -23.83 to -2.36; P=0.02], less intraoperative blood loss (WMD=-40.60; 95% CI, -79.73 to -1.47; P=0.04), shorter duration of hospital stay (WMD=-1.25; 95% CI, -2.36 to -0.14; P=0.03), or time to first ambulation (WMD=-0.38; 95% CI, -0.47 to -0.28; P<0.001). Although the difference between number of convert to open management, time to first oral intake, and major postoperative complication rate was not significant (OR=0.53; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.60; P=0.26; WMD=-0.31; 95% CI, -1.14 to 0.52; P=0.47; OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.06 to 1.06; P=0.07).
Conclusions: The present evidence demonstrates that retroperitoneal adrenalectomy is better than transperitoneal approach for patients with adrenal tumor in short-term outcomes. However, extended follow-ups and further randomized controlled trials should be required to analysis.