An Irish Experience of Robotic Adrenalectomy: Transitioning from Open to Robotic Surgery

Background: Minimally invasive techniques have become the gold-standard for the surgical management of the majority adrenal pathologies. No consensus exists over the benefit of robotic over laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The aim of the study was to analyse the authors’ experience of adrenalectomy with emphasis on its transition to robotic approaches. Methods : Retrospective data were collated from a prospectively maintained database of all consecutive adult patients undergoing adrenalectomy at the study centre between 1 ^st January 2015 to 1 ^st June 2025. Results : A total of 61 adrenalectomies were included in the study at a median patient age of 54 years (IQR43-67). 34% of these were for phaeochromocytoma. Open cases were more prevalent at the start of the study but over half the cases were performed robotically in the current series. Mean operative time reduced over the study period from 264 minutes in 2015 to 108 minutes in 2025. Median length of stay was 5 days (IQR4-7). Conclusion : This case series reflects a change in approach to adrenalectomy. The 10-year period demonstrated a marked transition to robotic adrenalectomy, paralleled by rising case volumes and significant improvements in length of stay, operative time, and blood loss demonstrating the safety and feasibility of robotic adrenalectomy.