Adrenalectomy: Procedures, Risks and Recovery

An adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys and produce important hormones. It is most commonly performed to treat adrenal tumours that are either producing excess hormones or are suspicious for cancer. In many cases, adrenalectomy can be performed using minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques, allowing for a faster recovery and excellent outcomes when carefully selected.

Table of Contents

What are the adrenal glands?

The anatomy of adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are yellow triangular shaped glands at the top of your kidneys. They are normally about 2 to 3 cm in size. They produce a number of hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones are responsible for a number of functions including control of blood pressure and dealing with your body’s response to stress. The adrenal gland also manufactures some of the sex hormones.

What are the indications for adrenal surgery? 

Adrenal surgery (adrenalectomy) may be recommended where:

• There is a tumour of the gland. This is usually detected when a scan is performed for non-specific symptoms and an incidental tumour (adrenal incidentaloma) is detected. Most of these are benign but a small percentage turn out to be malignant (adrenal cancer) Surgery may be recommended if the tumour is large or causing symptoms.

• There is overproduction of hormones causing one of a number of clinical syndromes: Cushing's Syndrome is caused by excess secretion of cortisol, causing obesity and osteoporosis; Conn's Syndrome is caused by excess secretion of aldosterone which may cause problems with high blood pressure and blood potassium levels; Phaeochromocytoma leads to excess secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline causing problems such as high blood pressure, excess sweating, tremor, and anxiety. 

How is adrenal surgery usually done? 

The adrenal gland can be approached both though the abdomen and through the back. Clearly the latter involves less dissection. Both approaches can be done open or endoscopic (keyhole). Laparoscopic adrenalectomy refers to keyhole approach through the abdominal cavity. The newest technique, endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy, refers to keyhole approach through the back.

1. Open adrenalectomy

This is usually performed if the adrenal tumour is very large or is likely to be a cancer. Open adrenalectomy is generally performed under a general anaesthetic. Open operations may be performed through the back, the flank, or the abdomen. In all cases a skin incision is made and the underlying muscles divided. The adrenal gland is located and removed with great care being taken not to injure nearby structures such as the major veins in the abdomen. The muscles are then put together again and the skin incision is closed with sutures that will either absorb or be removed soon after your operation. 

2. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Patient is positioned on their side with the table bent.

This can be performed where the tumour is smaller and unlikely to be a cancer. It is also performed under general anaesthetic. Laparoscopic procedures use small telescopes and instruments to remove the adrenal gland through a number of small incisions. The adrenal gland is located and removed with video guidance and, as with open surgery, with great care being taken not to injure nearby structures such as the major veins in the abdomen. Typically, patients having laparoscopic procedures have less pain and a more rapid recovery. 

3. Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy

Endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: Patient is positioned face down with their hip and chest supported on cushions, allowing the abdomen to hang down. The hips and knees are flexed. 

This technique is the latest advancement in adrenal surgery. It is even less painful than laparoscopic adrenalectomy and can be safely performed in obese patients and in those who are likely to have scar tissue in their abdomen from previous surgeries.

Following induction of general anaesthetics, the patient will be turned faced down with their hips and knees bent. A telescope and two small ports will be placed through the back into the so-called retroperitoneal space. Using endoscopic instruments, the surgeon will then dissect the adrenal gland carefully from the kidney and (on the right side) from the inferior vena cava (the largest vein in your body). Clearly there is much less dissection that needs to be done as opposed to the laparoscopic approach and hence, less complications, quicker recovery, and less pain.

What are the risks and complications of adrenal surgery? 

Most surgery nowadays is safe however any operation has general risks including reactions to the anaesthetic, chest infections, blood clots, heart and circulation problems, and wound infection. In addition, there are specific risks associated with adrenal surgery as follows:

• Bleeding may occur during the operation as the adrenal glands are near large arteries and veins. This may lead to the need for a blood transfusion.

• Abnormally high or low blood pressure is a risk following removal of some adrenal tumours. This can usually be prevented or treated with medicine.

• Any open surgical incision in the abdomen may be at risk of developing a hernia long after the operation. 

• Depending on the type of adrenal disorder leading to your adrenalectomy, you may require oral steroid medication to replace those steroids made by the adrenal gland. In some cases, these steroids are essential for life.

• Numbness or weakness of the muscles around the incision

• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

• Injury to surrounding structures such as bowel, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney, diaphragm, lung

• Infection

• Other unforeseen complications  

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between laparoscopic and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy?

  Laparoscopic adrenalectomy approaches the adrenal gland through the abdominal cavity using small incisions. Retroperitoneal adrenalectomy approaches the gland through the back using small incisions and laparoscopic instruments, avoiding entry into the abdomen. The latter may result in less postoperative pain and faster recovery in selected patients.

• When is open adrenalectomy required?

  Open surgery is generally reserved for large tumours, suspected adrenal cancer, or cases where minimally invasive surgery is not considered safe.

• What conditions may require adrenalectomy?

  Adrenalectomy may be recommended for hormone-producing tumours such as Cushing’s syndrome, Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism), pheochromocytoma, or for large or suspicious adrenal masses.

• How long does adrenalectomy take?

  Most minimally invasive adrenalectomies take between 1 to 2 hours, depending on complexity and tumour characteristics.