At the Department of Surgery, Banská Bystrica, 25 laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed during period 1996–2000. In initial period of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (1996–1997) when we learned this procedure, 9 operations were performed. Mean operation time was 120 minutes, there were two cases of conversion (22%), mortality and morbidity was 0%. In advanced period of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (1998–2000), 16 operations were performed. Mean operation time was 85 minutes, mortality and morbidity was 0%. In comparison with 25 adrenalectomies with laparotomy (1992–1998) there was lower mortality and morbidity, shorter hospitalisation time and after improving technical skill also short operation time. The same results as they were in operations of the small tumours were in operations of the large tumours (more than 5 cm). Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is stan- dard treatment of all adrenal tumours except carcinomas penetrating to the surrounding organs.

        Key words: laparoscopic adrenalectomy, tumours of the adrenal gland