Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are paired endocrine glands, Adrenalectomy Treatmentone located above each kidney, that produce hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, androgens, estrogens, aldosterone and cortisol.
Adrenalectomy is usually advised for patients with tumors of the adrenal glands. These tumors may be malignant or benign, but all typically excrete excessive amounts of one or more hormones. This helps correct hormone imbalances and may also remove cancerous tumors that can invade other parts of the body. In certain situations when hormones produced by the adrenal glands aggravate another condition such as breast cancer, adrenalectomy may be recommended.
Extreme care has to be taken during this procedure as there are numerous blood vessels connected to the adrenal gland. The glands lie close to the vena cava, one of the body's major blood vessels and to the spleen and the pancreas.
Open adrenalectomy
here are four directions that can be chosen which would depend on the exact problem and the patient's body type.
In the anterior approach, the surgeon cuts into the abdominal wall. Usually the incision will be horizontal, just under the rib cage. If the surgeon intends to operate on only one of the adrenal glands, the incision will run under just the right or the left side of the rib cage. Sometimes a vertical incision in the middle of the abdomen provides a better approach, especially if both adrenal glands are involved.
In the posterior approach, the surgeon cuts into the back, just beneath the rib cage. If both glands are to be removed, an incision is made on each side of the body. Though it does not provide a view quite as clear of the surrounding structures as the anterior approach, this approach is the most direct route to the adrenal glands.
The flank approach is particularly useful in obese patients where the surgeon cuts into the patient's side. In cases where both the glands need to be removed, each side is done at a time.
The last approach involves an incision into the chest cavity, either with or without part of the incision into the abdominal cavity. It is used when the surgeon anticipates a very large tumor, or if the surgeon needs to examine or remove nearby structures as well.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy
This technique does not require the surgeon to open the body cavity. Instead, four small incisions (about 1/2 in diameter each) are made into a patient's flank, just under the rib cage. A laparoscope, which enables the surgeon to visualize the inside of the abdominal cavity on a television monitor, is placed through one of the incisions. The other incisions are for tubes that carry miniaturized versions of surgical tools. These tools are designed to be operated by manipulations that the surgeon makes outside the body.
Preparation
Most of the preparations are the same as in other major operations. It is also taken care that hormone imbalances are taken care of. Physicians will instruct you to certain medications for days or weeks before the surgery. Problems like inadequate potassium in the blood and hypertension caused due to adrenal tumors should be treated prior to the surgery.
Most adrenal tumors can be imaged very well with a CT scan or MRI and benign tumors tend to look different on these tests than do cancerous tumors. Surgeons may order a CT scan, MRI, or scintigraphy (viewing of the location of a tiny amount of radioactive agent) to help locate exactly where the tumor is.
The day before surgery, patients will probably have an enema to clear the bowels.
Aftercare
Patients stay in the hospital for various lengths of time after adrenalectomy. The longest hospital stays are required for open surgery using an anterior approach. Hospital stay would be for about three days for open surgery using the posterior approach or for laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
The special concern after adrenalectomy is the patient's hormone balance. There may be several sets of lab tests to define hormone problems and monitor the results of drug treatment. In addition, blood pressure problems and infections are more common after removal of certain types of adrenal tumors.
As with most open surgery, surgeons are also concerned about blood clots forming in the legs and traveling to the lungs (venous thromboembolism), bowel problems and postoperative pain. With laparoscopic adrenalectomy, these problems are somewhat less difficult, but they are still present.
The special risks of adrenalectomy involve major hormone imbalances, caused by the underlying disease, the surgery, or both.These can include problems with wound healing itself, blood pressure fluctuations and other metabolic problems.
Other risks are typical of many operations.These include:
The other Cosmetic Procedures are:
Few Popular Hospitals for Adrenalectomy are:
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and India are the most cost effective locations that offer up to almost 80% savings in comparison to the US.
SurgeryPlanet facilitates a plethora of services to the medical treatment traveler also which includes, a hassle free and discounted travel option, a welcome hand at the airport on arrival, travel in an air-conditioned car, round the clock service & support. Your medical evaluation is pre arranged with the least of waiting time. Once your assessment is complete and found medically fit, the procedure is immediately scheduled without a waiting period. Please read through our Services and Testimonials to understand and select your best options.
Major Treatments Abroad: Obesity / Bariatric Surgery | Spine Surgery | Stem Cell therapy | Fertility treatment | Knee replacement in India and Thailand | Heart Surgery | Organ transplant | Ayurveda Treatment | Heart valve replacement | Hip resurfacing | Hospitals in India and Thailand for Laparoscopic Sterilization| Best hospitals in Asia | JCI & ISO certified Hospitals | Cost effective medical procedures | Healthcare tourism | Complete privacy for affordable cost | Weight loss procedures | Infertility treatment | Board certified physicians | Low cost surgeries
SurgeryPlanet is an Healthcare Facilitator and not a Medical service provider. The information provided in this website is not to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition or use for any medical purposes. We provide information solely for medical travel facilitation and do not endorse any particular health care provider, hospital, facility, destination or any healthcare service or treatment listed. We are not an agent for, or affiliated to any health care provider, or service listed in our website and is not responsible for health care services provided by them. Choice of hospital or doctor for your healthcare services is your independent decision. Consult your domestic licensed health care provider before seeking the services of any health care provider you learn about from our website.
