Is prophylactic nasogastric tube decompression necessary in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy for unilateral benign adrenal tumor

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign adrenal tumor without peri-operative NGT decompression. METHODS: From July 2010 to March 2014, 82 consecutive patients with benign unilateral adrenal tumor underwent elective laparoscopic adrenalectomy by a single surgeon were recruited for this study. We compared the clinico-demographic profile, estimated blood loss, operative time, time to full diet, time to ambulate, the length of hospital staying, analgesics use and complications between two groups stratified by the use of NGT. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinico-demographic profile of the two groups, including age, laterality, body mass index, gender, ASA classification, tumor diameter and histologic types between two groups. Peri-operative parameters were similar between NGT and Non-NGT groups (estimated blood loss, 55.85 vs. 54.4 ml; operative time, 110.3 vs. 112.3 min; p > 0.05) The post-operative outcome of interests, including days to full oral intake (3.32 vs. 3.34 days), days to ambulate (2.07 vs. 2.10 days), hospital stay (4.32 vs. 4.34 days), and analgesics use (6.00 vs. 5.83 mg; all p > 0.05) showed no significant difference between NGT and non-NGT group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with benign unilateral adrenal tumor without the use of peri-operative nasogastric tube decompression is safe and feasible.