Adrenalectomy is surgery to remove one or both of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two small glands located on top of the kidney. They work by removing hormones from the body that help regulate many bodily functions, along with regulating the immune system, metabolism, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.
Adrenalectomy surgery can be done if there is a tumor or any serious disease in the adrenal gland.
What is Adrenal Gland?
Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce hormones. It is also important for the body because, without hormones, many functions of the body can be hindered. This gland produces sex hormones and cortisol. While cortisol responds to stress, it also plays a role in other body functions.
When is adrenalectomy surgery needed?
Most adrenal tumors do not cause cancer. Adrenalectomy surgery may be needed to remove your adrenal gland if the tumor is producing more hormones or is larger in size (more than 4 to 5 centimeters). If the tumor can cause cancer, then in such a situation also you may need this surgery. In addition, it may also be necessary to remove cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other organs, such as the kidney or lung.
What should I know before having adrenalectomy surgery?
Adrenalectomy surgery is not safe for everyone. Due to this, the risk of coagulation disorder (blood clotting) can increase. Also this surgery cannot be done without the determination of hormonal activity.
What are the side effects of adrenalectomy surgery?
Some problems may occur during this surgery, which we are talking about below, such as:
- may have bleeding problems
- infection may occur
- May cause high blood pressure
- Anesthesia may cause interactions
- May cause injury to other organs
- blood clots may form
Pain is a very common condition among its side effects. Which can be cured with painkillers.
As with every procedure, there are some risks involved, adrenalectomy surgery can also have some risks. For more information about which you should talk to your doctor.
How should I prepare myself for adrenalectomy surgery?
The surgeon will use anesthesia during the surgery. Which can cause you to faint. Your doctor can give you instructions about what to eat and what not to eat before surgery. You will also need to fast for six to eight hours before the surgery.
What is the procedure involved in adrenalectomy surgery?
This surgical procedure can take up to three to five hours.
Adrenalectomy surgery can be done as an open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. With the method of laparoscopic surgery, you are less prone to infection and it also takes less time to heal.
Open adrenalectomy surgery
If your adrenal glands or tumors in them are very large, your surgeon may opt for open adrenalectomy surgery. During open adrenalectomy surgery, the surgeon will make large incisions under your ribcage or along the sides of your body.
With the help of these incisions, the surgeon inserts a camera inside your body. Which shows your abdominal cavity on a monitor. Which the doctor will fill with gas.
After this, with the help of incisions, surgeons will cut your abdominal glands with tools and secure the veins of blood. The surgeon will remove the abdominal glands from your body through a plastic bag.
laparoscopic surgery
In laparoscopic surgery, doctors use general anesthesia. This operation takes 3 to 4 hours. During this procedure, the surgeon makes 3 small incisions on the sides of the abdomen. Which can be up to 1 cm. Through one of the incisions, the doctor inserts a small camera into the abdomen, which is connected to a monitor. With the help of 3D images shown on it, the surgeon starts the procedure of the operation.
Dr. Prafulla Kerkar, Interventional Cardiologist in Mumbai
What happens after Adrenalectomy surgery?
You will be placed in the recovery room after the adrenalectomy surgery is complete. Where the team of doctors will look after your health. When you come out of the anesthesia, you will be shifted to a regular hospital room to rest.
If you have had open adrenalectomy surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for four to five days after the surgery. However, if you have had laparoscopic surgery, you will be able to go back home only after two to three days. You may feel pain at the incision site after surgery. In addition, swelling and cramping may also occur.
You will need to visit your doctor two weeks after you go home. Your doctor will give you the necessary instructions about what kind of precautions you should take after surgery.
