Is robot‐assisted retroperitoneal adrenalectomy safe? An investigation of perioperative hypertensive crisis among hypertensive and normotensive patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Objective: We examined the incidence of perioperative hypertensive crisis in robot-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 120 patients with adrenal tumours undergoing robot-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy were included. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (hypertension group, 58 cases, mean age 43.59 years) and group B (normotension group, 62 cases, mean age 48.01 years). General anaesthesia was applied using endotracheal intubation and haemodynamic changes were closely monitored. RESULTS: A total of nine (7.5%) hypertensive crisis cases were observed. After intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside, seven cases of them were quickly controlled and two cases experienced transient severe hypertension. The incidence of hypertensive crisis was 13.7% and 1.6% in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of strengthening the monitoring of anaesthesia and taking various measures to effectively control the blood pressure in robot-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy, especially among hypertensive patients.