Adrenal glands are a part of our endocrine system. They are two small organs, located one above each kidney. They are triangular in shape and about the size of a thumb. These glands produce hormones which are involved in control of blood pressure, chemical levels in the blood, water use in the body, glucose usage, and the "fight or flight" reaction during times of stress. These adrenal-produced hormones include cortisol, aldosterone, the adrenaline hormones and a small fraction of the body's sex hormones (oestrogen and androgens).
What is Adrenalectomy?
The procedure of removal of an adrenal gland is called an Adrenalectomy. The adrenal gland may be removed on one side or both sides at the time of surgery depending on the nature of disease. An Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal and this procedure can be performed using an open incision or laparoscopic technique.
The adrenal glands are fed by numerous blood vessels, so surgeons need to be alert to extensive bleeding during surgery. In addition, the adrenal glands lie close to one of the body's major blood vessels (the vena cava), and to the spleen and the pancreas. The surgeon needs to remove the gland(s) without damaging any of these important and delicate organs.
What are the indications of Adrenalectomy?
Diseases of the adrenal gland are relatively rare. The most common reason that a patient may need to have the adrenal gland removed is because of tumour within adrenal gland. Most of these tumours are small and not cancers. They are known as benign growths that can usually be removed with surgery. Removal of the adrenal gland may also be required for certain tumours even if they aren't producing excess hormones, such as very large tumours or if there is a suspicion that the tumour could be a cancer, or sometimes referred to as malignant. Fortunately, malignant adrenal tumours are rare. An adrenal mass or tumour is sometimes found by chance when a patient gets an X-ray study to evaluate another problem. Occasionally, Adrenalectomy may be recommended when hormones produced by the adrenal glands aggravate another condition such as breast cancer.
How is it diagnosed?
If an adrenal tumour is suspected based on symptoms or has been identified by X-ray, the patients are advised to undergo blood and urine tests to determine if the tumour is over-producing hormones. CT scan, nuclear medicine scan, an MRI or selective venous sampling are commonly used to locate the suspected adrenal tumour. Surgical removal of the adrenal gland is the preferred treatment for patients with adrenal tumours that secrete excess hormones and for primary adrenal tutors that appear malignant.
Benefits and drawbacks
In the past, making a large 6 to 12 inch incision in the abdomen, flank, or back was necessary for removal of an adrenal gland tumour. Today, with the technique known as minimally invasive surgery, removal of the adrenal gland (also known as "laparoscopic Adrenalectomy") can be performed through three or four 1/4-1/2 inch incisions. Patients may leave the hospital in one or two days and return to work more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.
Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy can de performed safely in a cost-effective manner. Given the benefits of this minimally invasive technique, the laparoscopic approach is quickly gaining popularity as the treatment of choice for Adrenalectomy. Results of surgery may vary depending on the type of procedure and the patients overall condition.
What is Adrenalectomy?
The procedure of removal of an adrenal gland is called an Adrenalectomy. The adrenal gland may be removed on one side or both sides at the time of surgery depending on the nature of disease. An Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal and this procedure can be performed using an open incision or laparoscopic technique.
The adrenal glands are fed by numerous blood vessels, so surgeons need to be alert to extensive bleeding during surgery. In addition, the adrenal glands lie close to one of the body's major blood vessels (the vena cava), and to the spleen and the pancreas. The surgeon needs to remove the gland(s) without damaging any of these important and delicate organs.
What are the indications of Adrenalectomy?
Diseases of the adrenal gland are relatively rare. The most common reason that a patient may need to have the adrenal gland removed is because of tumour within adrenal gland. Most of these tumours are small and not cancers. They are known as benign growths that can usually be removed with surgery. Removal of the adrenal gland may also be required for certain tumours even if they aren't producing excess hormones, such as very large tumours or if there is a suspicion that the tumour could be a cancer, or sometimes referred to as malignant. Fortunately, malignant adrenal tumours are rare. An adrenal mass or tumour is sometimes found by chance when a patient gets an X-ray study to evaluate another problem. Occasionally, Adrenalectomy may be recommended when hormones produced by the adrenal glands aggravate another condition such as breast cancer.
How is it diagnosed?
If an adrenal tumour is suspected based on symptoms or has been identified by X-ray, the patients are advised to undergo blood and urine tests to determine if the tumour is over-producing hormones. CT scan, nuclear medicine scan, an MRI or selective venous sampling are commonly used to locate the suspected adrenal tumour. Surgical removal of the adrenal gland is the preferred treatment for patients with adrenal tumours that secrete excess hormones and for primary adrenal tutors that appear malignant.
Benefits and drawbacks
In the past, making a large 6 to 12 inch incision in the abdomen, flank, or back was necessary for removal of an adrenal gland tumour. Today, with the technique known as minimally invasive surgery, removal of the adrenal gland (also known as "laparoscopic Adrenalectomy") can be performed through three or four 1/4-1/2 inch incisions. Patients may leave the hospital in one or two days and return to work more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.
Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy can de performed safely in a cost-effective manner. Given the benefits of this minimally invasive technique, the laparoscopic approach is quickly gaining popularity as the treatment of choice for Adrenalectomy. Results of surgery may vary depending on the type of procedure and the patients overall condition.
For more information on Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy Treatment, kindly visit :
http://www.aasthahealthcare.com/Laparosc
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