Background: Laparoscopic adrenal approach was introduced in 1992 and is becoming the surgical method of choice for several adrenal diseases. Aim: To report the initial Chilean experience in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Material and methods: A retrospective review of 17 patients subjected to the surgical procedure by the authors. Results: The preoperative diagnosis were adrenomas (8 patients), pheochromocytoma (3), cystic lesions (2), adrenal metastases (2), hyperaldosteronism (1) and a pituitary Cushing (1). The average lesion size was 5.4 cm, the operative time 2.5 hours and the hospital stay 2.5 days. Eight patients were discharged in less than 48 hours. Pain was managed with non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in 14 patients. One subject require conversion to open surgery. Transfusions were required in complex cases with a diaphragmatic hamartoma, Cushing disease and in a combined adrenal and renal resection. One patient had to be re admitted due to a pancreatic pseudo cyst that was drained percutaneously. There have been no recurrences after a mean followup of 2 years. Conclusions: This early experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy shows good results. A good patient selection and experience with advanced laparoscopic surgery are requisites for a successful use of this surgical technique.