Adrenal glands situated on top of both the kidney consist of two parts namely adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Adrenal cortex is the outer part of the adrenal gland and it produces hormones like cortisol and aidosterone which controls the metabolic process of the body. Adrenal medulla secretes stimulants like epinephrine and norepinephrine. Tumors in the medulla cause excess secretion of stimulants resulting in hypertension. Adrenelectomy is the name of the surgical procedure followed to remove either one or both of the adrenal glands when tumor or malignancy is noticed in the adrenal glands.
Laparoscopic Adrenelectomy
When only one adrenal gland is removed, the procedure used for this surgery is known as unilateral adrenelectomy and when both the adrenal glands are removed the surgery is known as bilateral Adrenelectomy. For this procedure a thin telescope like instrument called laparoscope is used. This instrument is inserted through a small incision in the flank. The laparoscope is having a small camera which is used to take enlarged videos of the internal organs and the surgery being carried out. This video is made available in a TV placed near the surgeon. Seeing these videos the surgeon carries out the surgery remotely controlling the special instruments inserted through small key holes near the hole for the laparoscope. Before carrying out the surgical procedure the abdomen of the patient is inflated with carbon dioxide so that the surgeon can get a clearer view of the organs and get enough space for carrying out the surgical procedures. After completing the procedures the instruments are withdrawn through the holes used for inserting them and the incisions are closed with stitches. These incisions will not be visible after a few months.
After the surgery
Although you may feel better within one or two days after the surgery it will take some more time to reach normalcy and during this period the patient has to be more vigilant and careful in his activities. Experts in this field consider laparoscopic procedure as most the effective and convenient procedure for removing adrenal glands.
Benefits of laparoscopic surgery
Instead of one long incision in open surgery, four small incisions of size 5 to 10 mm are only needed in this surgery. Therefore there will be less pain and the wounds will heal faster and no scars will be left out after a few months. Less risk of hernia development. Easier recovery and faster return to normalcy. Shorter hospital stay
