Adrenalectomy (Adrenal Gland Removal)

What is an adrenalectomy (adrenal gland removal)?

Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands because of cancer or because they’re producing too many hormones. 

In most cases, surgeons can do laparoscopic adrenalectomy, which requires fewer incisions (cuts) and sutures for a quicker recovery. Depending on your situation, a surgeon may remove one adrenal gland (unilateral adrenalectomy) or both adrenal glands (bilateral adrenalectomy).

How should I prepare for an adrenalectomy?

You’ll need to make specific preparations leading up to the day of your surgery. You may need additional imaging tests. Or you might need to take medication or follow specific dietary guidelines. Your provider will talk with you before your appointment so you know what to expect.

Because you’ll receive general anesthesia for your procedure, you should arrange for someone to drive you to and from your surgery.

What happens during an adrenalectomy?

During an adrenalectomy, a surgeon removes part or all of your adrenal gland(s). They can do this a few different ways:

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A surgeon makes one to four small incisions in your abdomen. Then, they place tiny surgical instruments through the incisions and remove your adrenal gland(s) with the help of a camera. In most cases, surgeons do adrenalectomies laparoscopically. Surgeons typically perform adrenalectomies laparoscopically because it’s minimally invasive.
• Robotic adrenalectomy. Like laparoscopic surgery, this approach requires one to four small incisions in your abdomen. But instead of doing the surgery by hand, a surgeon uses a computer console and a 3D camera to remove your adrenal gland(s).
• Open adrenalectomy. This traditional approach requires one long incision across your abdomen. A surgeon might choose this method to remove larger tumors or if you have adrenocortical carcinoma.

Your healthcare provider will review these options with you and determine which method is best for your situation.

On average, an adrenalectomy takes about two to three hours to complete.

What are the potential complications of adrenal gland removal?

As with any surgical procedure, complications can happen. They’re more likely with an open adrenalectomy.

Possible complications include:

• Bleeding and blood clots
• Damage to nearby organs
• Hernia
• Infection
• Reactions to anesthesia
• Problems with wound healing

What happens after my procedure?

If you had a laparoscopic or robotic adrenalectomy, you’ll probably go home the same day as your procedure. If you had open surgery, you might need to stay in the hospital for up to five days.

Your healthcare team will prescribe any necessary medications, schedule a follow-up visit and give you instructions to help you have a successful recovery. In general, you’ll want to:

• Get lots of rest
• Take all medications as prescribed
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat your usual diet if it doesn’t upset your stomach (if it does, start with bland foods first and work yourself back up)
• Hold a pillow over your incisions when you cough or take a deep breath
• Wash and care for your wound(s) as instructed
• Introduce activity, like walks and work, only when you feel comfortable (and always check with your provider first)
• Talk to your provider if you aren’t having regular bowel movements (pooping) without straining

What is the recovery time?

In general, recovery for adrenal gland removal takes one to two weeks. It could be longer if you had open surgery. It’s normal to develop some pain around your incision sites. You can manage this side effect with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen sodium (Aleve®).

Everyone gets better at a different pace, but most people recover without complications in two to three weeks. The symptoms you had before the surgery should go away almost immediately. If your provider removed a cancerous tumor, they’ll monitor you to make sure the cancer doesn’t return.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you:

• Have pain that doesn’t get better with medication
• See that your stitches are loose or your incision opens
• Notice signs of infection, like an incision that feels warm, bleeds, leaks pus or really hurts
• Develop a fever
• Don’t poop regularly

Call 911 (or your local emergency service number) or head to your nearest emergency room if you:

• Pass out
• Have severe trouble breathing
• Have chest pain or cough up blood