Adrenalectomy
An adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands that sits above each of your kidneys.
Some facts about Adrenalectomy:
- Various hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, blood sugar and other essential functions are produced by your two adrenal glands.
- Adrenalectomy is required in case the tumor is producing excess hormones or is large in size such as more than 2 inches or 4 to 5 centimeters.
- You also may need an adrenalectomy if you have a cancerous tumor.
- An adrenalectomy is also required to remove cancer that has spread from another location, such as the kidney or lung.
- You will need to take hormone medications if both adrenal glands are removed. But, the remaining gland will take over if only one gland is removed.
Preparation for Adrenalectomy:
- Avoid eating and drinking anything at least four hours before your surgery.
- You may drink a sip of water with your medications if needed.
- Any history of bleeding disorders or are taking any blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines, aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting should be informed to your healthcare provider as you may be asked to stop taking these medicines before your surgery.
- The possible complications and side effects, the risks, and what the operation involves will be discussed with you by your doctor.
Procedure for Adrenalectomy:
- An adrenalectomy can be performed through minimally invasive or traditional open surgery.
- Cryoablation may also be used.
- The recommended procedure depends on the size and type of tumor or the condition affecting your adrenal gland.
- Usually, minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery are suggested for tumors of the adrenal gland because the gland is relatively small.
- Laparoscopic surgery is performed by the surgeon through several small cuts (incisions).
- A tiny camera and surgical instruments are used in this procedure to provide magnified, 3D view of the surgical site.
- Laparoscopic surgery has smaller scars, less pain and a shorter recovery period than traditional open surgery.
- Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA) is an alternative to laparoscopic surgery in which small cuts (incisions) will be made in your back by the surgeon.
- Robot-assisted adrenalectomies is sometimes performed by the surgeon through small cuts (incisions) using robotic arms with a camera and instruments attached.
- A high-definition, magnified, 3D view of the surgical site is given by the camera.
- Open surgery is usually for large or cancerous tumors which is performed using traditional instruments and cuts (incisions).
- CT imaging is used in the process of Cryoablation to guide doctors as they insert a probe that freezes and destroys adrenal tumors.
- Cryoablation can be used by imaging specialists as a treatment option for small tumors that have spread to the adrenal gland, particularly when surgery carries a high risk.
- A reaction to general anesthesia, high or low blood pressure, bleeding, injury to nearby organs and infection or problems with your incisions healing are the possible complications of laparoscopic adrenal gland removal
- Blood clots, heart attacks, and complications with your lungs can rarely occur after Adrenalectomy.
