Has your doctor told you that you need to have surgery to remove your adrenal gland due to a problem? It's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you hear this news. We all get a little nervous when we hear the word "surgery." But it's actually not as scary as we think. In most cases, it's a very successful and simple procedure. So, today we'll talk about the adrenalectomy procedure, how to prepare for it, and how to recover quickly after the procedure.
Simply put, what is Adrenalectomy?
Okay, first let's look at what the adrenal glands are. These are two small glands that sit on top of our kidneys, like two hats. They produce several hormones that are essential for our bodies.
But sometimes these glands can have problems. For example:
- Cancer: These glands can develop tumors that are cancerous or can become cancerous.
- Excessive hormone production: Sometimes these glands start producing too many hormones. This can lead to conditions like ``Hyperaldosteronism`` or ``Cushing's disease.``
For this reason, doctors decide to surgically remove one or both of these glands. If only one gland is removed, it is called ``Unilateral adrenalectomy``, and if both glands are removed, it is called ``Bilateral adrenalectomy``. This surgery is called Adrenalectomy.
How to prepare before surgery?
You will need to do some preparation before the day of your surgery. Your doctor will give you clear instructions about this.
- You may be asked to do things like additional scans.
- Sometimes, special medications may be prescribed to be taken in the days before surgery.
- Perhaps special advice can be given regarding food and drink.
The most important thing is that this surgery is performed under full anesthesia, meaning you are completely asleep. Therefore, it is essential that you have someone to take you home after the surgery. You absolutely cannot drive a car alone.
What are the methods of surgery?
There are three main methods for removing the adrenal gland. Depending on your condition, your surgeon will decide which method is best for you.
| Surgical method | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy | This is the most commonly used method. The gland is removed through 1-4 very small incisions in the abdomen, through which a camera and delicate surgical instruments are inserted. The incisions are very small, so healing is quick and there is little pain. |
| Robotic Adrenalectomy | This is similar to the above method. However, the surgeon does not control the equipment directly by hand, but with the help of a computer system and a 3D camera. This allows the surgery to be performed very delicately and accurately. |
| Open Adrenalectomy | This is the traditional method. The surgery is performed through a single incision across the abdomen. This method is chosen if the tumor in the gland is very large or if it is a specific type of cancer, such as ``Adrenocortical carcinoma``. |
This surgery usually takes about two or three hours to complete.
How to take care of yourself at home after surgery?
If you have laparoscopic surgery, you will probably be able to go home the same evening or the next day. However, if you have open surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Be sure to follow these steps to recover quickly after you get home.
- Get plenty of rest: Give your body time to heal. Avoid strenuous exercise for the first week.
- Take your medication exactly as prescribed: Take the painkillers and other medications prescribed by your doctor at the right time and in the right dosage.
- Drink plenty of water: It is very important to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- Food and Drink: Eat your usual meals unless you have stomach upset. If you feel like your stomach is upset, start with something light like steamed vegetables or rice porridge and gradually move on to regular meals.
- Coughing and deep breathing: When coughing, breathing heavily, or laughing, place a pillow over the incision and press it down. This will greatly reduce the pain.
- Wound care: Keep the wound clean and disinfected as directed by your doctor.
- Going to the toilet: It's normal to feel nauseous. If you're having trouble, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.
How long does it take to heal?
You should be back to normal within a week or two. Open surgery may take a little longer. It is normal to have some pain around the incisions. This pain can be controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
The best thing is that the symptoms you had before surgery (e.g. high blood pressure, fatigue) will go away very quickly after surgery.
In such a case, seek medical advice immediately.
If you see something like this at home after surgery, don't ignore it.
| Status | What to do |
|---|---|
| Talk to your doctor. | |
| Pain | If the pain doesn't subside even after taking medicine. |
| Wound | If the stitches are loose and the incision looks open. |
| Signs of infection | If the wound is red, swollen, feels hot, oozing pus or bleeding, or is in severe pain. |
| Fever | If you have a fever. |
| Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. | |
| Loss of consciousness | If you suddenly lose consciousness. |
| Difficulty breathing | If you feel severe difficulty breathing. |
| Chest pain | If you have severe chest pain or cough up blood. |
It's normal to feel scared when told you have to have surgery. But for someone with adrenal cancer or a hormone-related disease, this surgery is the best way to recover. If your doctor has recommended this surgery for you, don't be afraid to talk to him about all your questions and fears.
Take-Home Message
- Adrenalectomy is a successful and commonly performed surgery for adrenal gland cancer or hormonal problems.
- This surgery is often performed through small incisions (laparoscopically), which means less recovery time and less pain.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any fears or concerns you may have before surgery.
- Following medical instructions exactly after surgery is essential for a quick and successful recovery.
- If you notice any of the above-mentioned risk symptoms, do not hesitate to call your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
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