Our Summary

This research paper looks at a specific type of surgery called partial adrenalectomy, which is a less invasive procedure that removes part of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is a small organ located above the kidneys that produces hormones. In the past, whole adrenal glands were often removed, leaving patients needing to take hormone replacement for the rest of their lives. However, this study shows that removing only part of the gland can be just as effective and can prevent the need for lifelong hormone replacement.

The study looks at seven patients who had this type of surgery at a hospital in Romania between 2016 and 2018. The patients had this surgery for a variety of reasons, such as Conn’s syndrome, bilateral pheochromocytoma, and nonfunctional adrenal tumors. The age of patients varied, but the median age was 56 years old.

Several advanced technologies were used to help with the surgery, including adrenal vein sampling, the indocyanine green test, and intraoperative ultrasound. The surgeries were all minimally invasive and were carried out either laparoscopically (using small incisions and a camera) or robotically (with the help of a robot). None of the surgeries had to be converted to a more invasive procedure.

The findings suggest that this less invasive surgery is a good option for patients who need part of their adrenal gland removed. The use of new technologies also seems to make the surgery more feasible and may increase the number of patients who can benefit from this approach.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of performing a partial adrenalectomy?
  2. What methods and technologies were used to perform the minimally invasive partial adrenalectomies at Ponderas Academic Hospital between 2016 and 2018?
  3. What were the results and conclusions of the study on minimally invasive partial adrenalectomy performed at Ponderas Academic Hospital?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about adrenalectomy is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including taking prescribed medications, avoiding heavy lifting, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor hormone levels and overall recovery progress. It is also important to communicate any unusual symptoms or concerns to your healthcare provider promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for adrenalectomy include those with Conn’s syndrome, bilateral pheochromocytoma, and nonfunctional adrenal tumors. In this study, the patients who underwent minimally invasive partial adrenalectomy had successful outcomes, with no conversions to open surgery or total suprarenalectomy. The use of novel technologies such as adrenal vein sampling, indocyanine green test, and intraoperative ultrasound has increased the feasibility of the minimally invasive approach and expanded the number of patients who can benefit from this type of surgery.

Timeline

  • Prior to adrenalectomy, a patient may undergo diagnostic tests such as adrenal vein sampling, indocyanine green test, and intraoperative ultrasound to determine the best approach for surgery.
  • The patient may be diagnosed with conditions such as Conn’s syndrome, bilateral pheochromocytoma, or nonfunctional adrenal tumors, which may require partial adrenalectomy.
  • The surgery is typically performed using a minimally invasive approach, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted, to minimize the risk of complications and promote faster recovery.
  • Following adrenalectomy, the patient will undergo a period of recovery and may require hormonal replacement therapy depending on the extent of the surgery and the function of the remaining adrenal gland.
  • Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the patient’s hormone levels and overall health post-surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about adrenalectomy include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with adrenalectomy?
  2. What is the expected recovery time after the surgery?
  3. Will I need to take any medications or undergo hormone replacement therapy after the procedure?
  4. How will the surgery affect my adrenal function and overall health?
  5. What alternative treatment options are available for my condition?
  6. How many adrenalectomy procedures have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  7. Will I need any additional tests or evaluations before the surgery?
  8. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the procedure?
  9. What can I expect in terms of pain management after the surgery?
  10. Are there any dietary or lifestyle changes I should make before or after the surgery to aid in my recovery?

Reference

Authors: Balescu I, Arnautu O, Grasu M, Badiu C, Tomulescu V, Copăescu C. Journal: Chirurgia (Bucur). 2019 Sept-Oct;114(5):611-621. doi: 10.21614/chirurgia.114.5.611. PMID: 31670637