Adrenal Surgery (Adrenalectomy)

What is Adrenalectomy?

An Adrenalectomy involves the removal of the adrenal gland. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and most often require at least an overnight stay in the hospital.

The surgical approach is determined by:

  • Tumour size and type (benign or malignant)
  • Patient characteristics (body size, shape, medical conditions, previous operations, etc)
  • The surgeon’s preferences of which will achieve the best outcome for you

Types of Adrenalectomy

An Adrenalectomy can be performed either as an open and minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) procedure.

Open Adrenalectomy

Uses a large incision (usually beneath the rib-cage). This approach is preferred for very large tumours and for tumours with a high risk of cancer.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic (Minimally invasive or keyhole surgery) Adrenalectomy approach uses multiple small incisions and a camera to remove the adrenal gland. Due to its minimally invasive nature recovery process is much more smooth and shorter.

Robotic Adrenalectomy

Evidence supports the use of robotic surgery for the minimally invasive surgical removal of adrenal masses.

The main steps of our current surgical technique for Robotic Adrenalectomy (very similar to laparoscopic adrenalectomy) are:

  • patient positioning,
  • port placement, and
  • robot docking;
  • exposure of the adrenal gland;
  • identification and control of the adrenal vein;
  • circumferential dissection of the adrenal gland; and
  • specimen retrieval and
  • closure.
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