Adrenalectomy is surgery to remove all or part of one or both adrenal glands. The glands are above the kidneys. They make hormones that affect nearly every organ in the body. These hormones include adrenaline and cortisol. They do many things in the body. For example, they help control blood pressure. They help the body deal with stress. And they control the breakdown of fats and proteins in the liver.
This surgery may be done to remove a tumor that may or may not be cancer. It also may be done for people with Cushing's syndrome, a problem that causes too much cortisol in the body. It may be done to remove a tumor that makes too much adrenaline.
The surgery may be done through a single cut (incision). This is called open surgery. Or you may have laparoscopic surgery. To do this, the doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and other tools through several small cuts.
If you have laparoscopic surgery, you may be able to leave the hospital the next day. With open surgery, you may stay in the hospital for a few days or longer.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
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Adrenalectomy is surgery to remove one or both adrenal glands. These glands are located above the kidneys.
The doctor took out one or both of your child's adrenal glands through a cut (incision) in the front, side, or back of the torso. The incision will leave a scar that will fade with time.
The area around the cut will feel sore after the surgery. This usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. The doctor may prescribe pain medicine for this.
Your child's body can work fine with one healthy adrenal gland. If both adrenal glands were removed, or if your child's remaining adrenal gland isn't healthy, your child can take medicine every day to replace the hormones that the glands were making.
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