Adrenalectomy is surgery to remove one or more adrenal gland. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and are located just above the kidneys.

Adrenal gland removal; Removal of adrenal glands

Adrenalectomy is a procedure that can be performed using traditional "open" surgery or less invasive laparascopic techniques. Laparoscopic procedures use smaller surgical cuts than open surgery.

For the surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). The surgeon makes a surgical cut in the abdomen and removes the adrenal gland through this opening. (The size and number of cuts depends on which surgical technique is used.)

The tissue is sent to a pathologist for examination.

You should not eat or drink anything, even water, for 8 hours before the procedure.

As with any minimally invasive surgery, there will be some discomfort after surgery.

• Your health care provider may prescribe pain medications.
• You may need stool softeners to avoid constipation.
• Physical activities are encouraged to strengthen the abdominal wall muscles.

Complete recovery from the procedure may take 1 to 2 weeks.

This surgery is most often performed when there is an adrenal mass or a tumor (such as a pheochromocytoma).

Images

Endocrine glands

Adrenal gland biopsy

Next Section

Adrenalectomy Results

Review Date: 10/24/2007
Reviewed By: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor or Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)