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Adrenal Gland Conditions We Treat

  • Adrenal Gland Overview
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Adrenal Tumors
  • Primary Hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s Disease)

Types of Adrenal Surgery

Open Adrenalectomy

Open adrenal surgery can be done through three types of approaches: anterior, posterior or thoracoabdominal. Open adrenalectomy is preferred when there is a very large adrenal tumor or the adrenal tumor is at high risk of cancer. Patients having an open adrenalectomy will stay in the hospital for 5-10 days after surgery.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Multiple small incisions are made in the abdomen, a camera and instruments are used to remove the adrenal gland. Patients will leave the hospital in a day or two following surgery.

Cortical Sparing Adrenalectomy

This surgery involves removal of just the adrenal tumor and a margin of normal adrenal gland tissue surrounding the tumor. This approach is possible if the tumor is small and the tumor is clearly not cancer.

The surgery approach is dependent on factors such as size, features, and appearance of the tumor, if the patient has had previous abdominal surgeries, and patient body type.

Surgery

Adrenal surgery is typically done with general anesthesia. You will have a breathing tube in place during the surgery, which is removed after surgery prior to you waking up. Patients having an open adrenalectomy will stay in the hospital for 5-10 days after surgery. Patients will leave the hospital in a day or two following laparoscopic surgery.

View information about the risks of surgery, how to prepare for surgery and what to expect after surgery.

More Information

For more information, please call our office at 410-328-6187.

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