Outcomes and evidence

What the published literature shows

For adrenalectomy, the comparison literature is reasonably mature:

• A recent systematic review and meta-analysis comparing robot-assisted with open adrenalectomy showed reductions in blood loss and length of stay, with comparable oncological outcomes in appropriately selected patients.¹
• Comparisons of robotic with conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy show broadly similar outcomes, with small reductions in conversion rates and length of stay in some series.^4,5
• For large or complex adrenal masses, experienced teams continue to report acceptable outcomes with both laparoscopic and open approaches, emphasising the importance of case selection and technique rather than a single "best" approach.⁸
• For phaeochromocytoma, the Endocrine Society guideline remains the reference for biochemical diagnosis, pre-operative alpha blockade and peri-operative care.⁶
• For incidentalomas, the European Society of Endocrinology guideline provides a practical framework for hormonal screening, imaging characterisation and follow-up.³
• For subclinical Cushing's syndrome, adrenalectomy has been shown to improve cardiovascular risk factors in selected patients.⁷

Why no local statistics are quoted

In keeping with AHPRA advertising rules, this site does not quote in-house operative numbers, complication rates or outcome percentages. Individual outcomes depend on the tumour, the indication and the patient. Published meta-analyses and guidelines are cited instead because they pool evidence across many centres.

References

1. Giordano S, Paivaoja J, Rouhia T, et al. Robot-assisted versus open adrenalectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2024;50(6):108244. doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108244
2. Grumbach MM, Biller BM, Braunstein GD, et al. Management of the clinically inapparent adrenal mass ("incidentaloma"). Ann Intern Med. 2003;138(5):424-429. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-138-5-200303040-00013
3. Fassnacht M, Arlt W, Bancos I, et al. Management of adrenal incidentalomas: European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors. Eur J Endocrinol. 2016;175(2):G1-G34. doi:10.1530/EJE-16-0467
4. Brandao LF, Autorino R, Laydner H, et al. Robotic versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Urol. 2014;65(6):1154-1161. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2013.09.021
5. Morelli L, Tartaglia D, Bronzoni J, et al. Robotic assisted versus pure laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal glands: a case-control study comparing surgical techniques. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2016;401(7):999-1006. doi:10.1007/s00423-016-1494-0
6. Lenders JW, Duh QY, Eisenhofer G, et al. Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(6):1915-1942. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-1498
7. Bancos I, Alahdab F, Crowley RK, et al. Therapy of Endocrine Disease: improvement of cardiovascular risk factors after adrenalectomy in patients with adrenal tumors and subclinical Cushing's syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2016;175(6):R283-R295. doi:10.1530/EJE-16-0411
8. Agrusa A, Romano G, Frazzetta G, et al. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large adrenal masses: single team experience. Int J Surg. 2014;12 Suppl 1:S72-S74. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.05.050
9. Young WF Jr. The incidentally discovered adrenal mass. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(6):601-610. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp065470