Adrenalectomy is a very rare operation and its associated learning curve has not yet been studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether the operation time decreases with experience and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy performed by a surgeon who is new to laparoscopic and open-surgical adrenalectomy.

This study is a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed between April 2007 and September 2012. All surgeries were performed by a single young surgeon who had no experience in performance of open or laparoscopic adrenalectomy. All surgeries were performed using the transperitoneal approach.

In total, 42 cases were included. The average tumor size was 4.7 cm. The mean operating time was 125 min. Mean duration of hospital stay was 8.7 days. None of the cases showed conversion to open surgery or perioperative mortality. The operator achieved mastery after performance of left laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 12 cases and right laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 11 cases.

A new surgeon can perform laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy successfully, independently, and safely after having performed the surgery in 12 cases.