Adrenalectomy

What this procedure is

An adrenalectomy is a surgery to remove one or both of your adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands, one sitting on top of each of your kidneys. These small, triangle-shaped glands are part of your endocrine system, which is the group of glands that make hormones to help your body work correctly.

Your clinician may recommend this surgery if a gland is not working the way it should. The procedure is often done using "minimally invasive" techniques. This means the surgeon uses small cuts and a tiny camera to see inside the body. In some cases, a traditional "open" surgery with a larger incision may be needed to ensure the best results.

What it treats or fixes

This procedure is most often used to treat tumors or growths on the adrenal gland. Most of these growths are benign, which means they are not cancer. However, even non-cancerous growths can cause health problems if they produce too many hormones.

Common reasons for this surgery include:

• Hormone imbalances: Conditions where the gland makes too much of certain hormones, which can affect your blood pressure or metabolism.
• Pheochromocytoma: A type of growth that can cause the body to release too much adrenaline, leading to high blood pressure.
• Large or growing tumors: Growths that are getting bigger or are larger than a certain size.
• Cancer: To remove a tumor that is cancerous or has spread from another part of the body.

How common it is & where it's done

Adrenalectomy is a well-established surgery performed in hospitals and specialized surgical centers across North America. While it is less common than some other types of surgery, it is the standard treatment for many adrenal conditions.

The procedure is usually performed by surgeons who specialize in the endocrine system or the urinary tract (urologists). Most patients stay in the hospital for a short time afterward so the medical team can monitor their hormone levels and recovery.

Recovery: What to Expect

Most patients stay in the hospital for one to three days after an adrenalectomy. If your clinician performs a minimally invasive surgery—using small incisions and a tiny camera—your hospital stay and overall recovery time may be shorter. You will likely be encouraged to get out of bed and walk shortly after surgery to help your body heal and prevent blood clots.

Once you are home, you should plan to rest and avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for several weeks. Your clinician may provide specific instructions on how to care for your incisions and manage any mild discomfort with medication. Most people can return to their normal daily activities within two to four weeks.

Risks & Possible Complications

While adrenalectomy is generally safe, all surgeries carry some risks. These may include bleeding, infection, or a reaction to the anesthesia (the medicine used to put you to sleep). Because the adrenal glands are located near other major organs, there is a small risk of injury to the kidneys, spleen, or liver during the procedure.

Your clinician may also monitor you for changes in your hormone levels or blood pressure immediately after surgery. You should contact your care team if you experience any of the following:

• A fever or chills.
• Redness, swelling, or drainage at the incision site.
• Pain that does not improve with prescribed medicine.
• Dizziness or extreme fatigue.

Outcomes & Long-Term Results

The long-term results of an adrenalectomy are usually very good. If only one adrenal gland is removed, the remaining gland typically takes over the work for both, and you may not need long-term medication. If both glands are removed, your clinician may prescribe daily hormone replacement therapy to ensure your body functions correctly.

Follow-up care is an important part of the process. Your clinician may schedule regular blood tests or imaging to monitor your hormone levels and ensure you are healing well. Most patients find that the symptoms caused by their adrenal condition improve significantly after the procedure.

Emotional Support & Reassurance

It is completely natural to feel nervous before having surgery. Adrenalectomy is a common procedure, and your surgical team is highly trained to support you through every step. Focusing on the benefits of the surgery—such as feeling more like yourself again—can help ease your mind.

Many patients find comfort in asking their clinician questions about what to expect on the day of the procedure. Remember that your healthcare team is your best resource for support. Once your hormone levels stabilize after surgery, you may find that your mood and energy levels improve, helping you feel more confident in your recovery.

Why doctors recommend it

The adrenal glands are small, triangle-shaped organs that sit on top of your kidneys. They produce hormones, which are chemical messengers that help control your blood pressure, heart rate, and how your body responds to stress. Your clinician may recommend an adrenalectomy—the surgical removal of one or both glands—if a growth or tumor is interfering with these functions.

Common reasons for this recommendation include:

• Hormone imbalances: Some tumors cause the gland to overproduce hormones, leading to health issues like high blood pressure, heart palpitations, or unusual weight gain.
• Tumor size: If a growth is larger than a certain size (often about 4 centimeters), surgery may be suggested even if it is not currently causing symptoms.
• Cancer concerns: While many adrenal growths are non-cancerous (benign), surgery is used if there is a risk that the growth is cancerous or could spread to other areas.

Urgent vs planned treatment

In most cases, an adrenalectomy is a planned (elective) procedure. This allows your medical team time to perform blood tests, urine tests, and imaging scans to understand exactly how the gland is behaving. Your clinician may also prescribe specific medications for a few weeks before surgery to stabilize your blood pressure or hormone levels, ensuring the procedure is as safe as possible.

Urgent surgery is less common but may be necessary in specific situations. For example, if a tumor causes a sudden, severe spike in blood pressure that cannot be controlled with medicine, or if there is a concern about internal bleeding from the gland, the procedure may be performed more quickly to protect your health.

Goals of treatment

The primary goal of an adrenalectomy is to restore balance to your body. By removing the source of excess hormones, the surgery can help manage conditions like Cushing’s syndrome (too much cortisol) or Conn’s syndrome (too much aldosterone). This often leads to better control of blood pressure and a reduction in symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or muscle weakness.

Another key goal is the prevention of future health problems. Removing a large or suspicious growth helps ensure that a tumor does not grow further or cause complications later on. Success is typically defined as removing the affected tissue while allowing your body to function more normally. In many cases, the remaining adrenal gland can take over the work of both, though your clinician may monitor you to see if temporary hormone supplements are needed.

Who may benefit

An adrenalectomy is a surgery to remove one or both of your adrenal glands. These are small, triangle-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that help regulate your blood pressure, metabolism, and how your body reacts to stress. Your clinician may recommend this procedure if a gland is not working correctly or has developed a growth.

Common reasons for this surgery include tumors that produce too many hormones. For example, some tumors cause the body to make too much cortisol (Cushing’s syndrome) or too much adrenaline (pheochromocytoma). These conditions can lead to high blood pressure, heart palpitations, or weight changes. Removing the affected gland can often help bring these hormone levels back into a healthy range.

You may also benefit from surgery if a tumor is large or if there is a concern that it could be cancerous. Even if a growth is not producing extra hormones, your care team might suggest removal if it is growing quickly or appears suspicious on imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI.

When it may not be the right option

Surgery is not always the first step for every adrenal growth. Many people have small, non-cancerous growths called "incidentalomas" that do not produce extra hormones and do not cause symptoms. In these cases, your clinician may suggest "watchful waiting," which involves regular imaging and blood tests to monitor the growth instead of removing it right away.

If a person has other serious health conditions, such as advanced heart or lung disease, the risks of surgery might outweigh the benefits. Your care team will look at your overall health to decide if surgery is safe for you. Additionally, if a cancer has spread widely throughout the body, removing a single adrenal gland may not be the most effective treatment path.

Certain medical situations, such as untreated blood-clotting disorders, may also make surgery less ideal. In these situations, your clinician may focus on managing your symptoms with medication or other non-surgical therapies until it is safer to proceed.

Questions to ask your care team

It is helpful to be prepared when meeting with your surgical team. You may want to bring a list of questions to help you understand your options and what to expect during and after the procedure.

• Why is surgery the best option for my specific condition?
• Will you use a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach or an open surgery?
• Will I need to take hormone replacement medications after the gland is removed?
• How long is the typical hospital stay and recovery period?
• What are the risks specific to my health history?
• How will we monitor my hormone levels after the procedure?

In the procedure room

When you are moved into the procedure room, you will meet your surgical team, which includes the surgeon, nurses, and anesthesia specialists. The room contains various monitors and equipment designed to keep you safe. You will be helped onto a padded surgical table and positioned carefully to allow the surgeon the best access to the adrenal gland.

Before the surgery begins, the team will perform a "time-out." This is a standard safety pause where everyone confirms your name, the type of surgery, and the correct side of the body for the procedure. This step ensures that every member of the team is focused and ready to proceed.

High-level steps

Most adrenalectomies are performed using a minimally invasive approach, often called laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes a few small incisions (cuts) in the abdomen or back. They insert a laparoscope—a thin tube with a tiny camera—to see the area on a video screen. Using small, specialized tools, the surgeon carefully detaches the adrenal gland from the kidney and nearby blood vessels.

In some cases, your clinician may decide that an "open" surgery is safer. This involves a single, larger incision to remove the gland directly. This method is sometimes used if the gland is very large or if there is scar tissue from previous surgeries. Once the gland is removed, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches, staples, or surgical tape. Small bandages are then placed over the sites to keep them clean.

Anesthesia and pain control

You will receive general anesthesia for this procedure. This means you will be in a deep sleep and will not feel any pain or have any memory of the surgery. An anesthesia provider will stay by your side the entire time to monitor your breathing and comfort.

To help with pain after you wake up, your clinician may use a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) around the incision sites. You may also receive pain relief through an IV (a small tube in your vein). As you recover, the team will work with you to manage any soreness or pressure you feel so that you can begin moving around comfortably.

Monitoring and safety steps

Because the adrenal glands produce hormones that control blood pressure and heart rate, the surgical team monitors these levels very closely throughout the procedure. They use specialized equipment to track your heart rhythm and oxygen levels every second. This constant monitoring allows the team to make quick adjustments to your fluids or medications if your hormone levels shift during the surgery.

To help prevent blood clots, you may have inflatable compression boots placed on your legs. These gently squeeze your calves to keep your blood flowing well while you are asleep. The team also uses sterile techniques and may give you antibiotics through your IV to reduce the risk of infection.

Immediately after the procedure

After the surgery is finished, you will be moved to a recovery room, often called the PACU. You will gradually wake up as the anesthesia wears off. It is normal to feel groggy, chilly, or even a bit nauseated at first. You might also notice a mild sore throat if a breathing tube was used during the surgery.

Nurses will check your vital signs frequently and ask about your pain levels. You may feel some pressure or dull aching near your incisions, but this is expected and can be managed with medication. Once you are fully awake and your blood pressure and heart rate are stable, you will be moved to a hospital room to continue your recovery.

Typical procedure length

An adrenalectomy typically takes between 1 and 4 hours. The exact time depends on several factors, such as the surgical approach used (laparoscopic versus open) and your specific anatomy. Your surgeon will provide your family or loved ones with an update as soon as the procedure is complete.

Common approaches (open vs minimally invasive)

Surgeons use different techniques to reach the adrenal glands depending on the size of the tumor and your specific medical history. The most common method is minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic or robotic). During this procedure, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions (cuts). They insert a tiny camera and thin instruments to remove the gland. This approach can be performed through the abdomen (belly) or through the back.

Minimally invasive surgery often results in less pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgery. However, it is not always the best option for every patient.

Open surgery involves a single, larger incision. Your care team may recommend this approach if the tumor is very large, if there is a high suspicion of cancer, or if the tumor is attached to nearby organs. While recovery from open surgery may take longer, it allows the surgeon to see the area directly and remove the tumor safely.

Partial vs total

In most cases, the entire adrenal gland is removed. This is called a total adrenalectomy. Because you have two adrenal glands, your body can usually function normally with just one, provided the remaining gland is healthy.

Sometimes, a surgeon may perform a partial adrenalectomy (also known as cortex-sparing surgery). This involves removing only the tumor and leaving the healthy part of the gland behind. This option is often considered for patients with tumors on both adrenal glands or those with specific genetic conditions. The goal of a partial procedure is to save enough healthy tissue so the body can continue producing essential hormones, reducing the need for lifelong medication.

Revision or repeat procedures

Although less common, some patients may require a second surgery. This might happen if a tumor returns or if the original surgery could not remove all the affected tissue. Revision surgeries can be more complex because scar tissue from the first operation may change the anatomy of the area.

If a repeat procedure is necessary, your surgeon will carefully evaluate the safest approach. In some cases, a surgery that started as minimally invasive may need to switch to an open approach to ensure the procedure is successful.

Tests and imaging that may be done

Before surgery, your healthcare team needs to understand exactly how your adrenal gland is working and where the tumor is located. This helps them plan the safest surgical approach. You will likely undergo a physical exam and a review of your medical history.

Common pre-operative tests include:

• Blood and urine tests: These measure hormone levels to see if the adrenal gland is overactive. You may need to collect your urine in a special container for 24 hours.
• Imaging scans: A CT scan or MRI provides a detailed picture of the adrenal gland and the surrounding blood vessels.
• Vein sampling: In some cases, a radiologist may take blood samples directly from the veins near the adrenal glands to pinpoint which gland is causing the problem.

Medication adjustments

Your surgeon and anesthesiologist need to know about all medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Some of these can increase the risk of bleeding or interact with anesthesia.

Your preparation may involve the following changes:

• Blood thinners: You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, or other blood-thinning drugs several days before surgery. Only stop these medicines if your clinician instructs you to do so.
• Hormone control: If your tumor is producing too much adrenaline (a condition called pheochromocytoma), you may need to take specific blood pressure medications (alpha-blockers) for a few weeks before the operation. This helps stabilize your heart rate and blood pressure during the procedure.
• Steroids: If you have Cushing’s syndrome, your team may prescribe medication to manage cortisol levels prior to surgery.

Day-before and day-of instructions

As your surgery date approaches, your hospital will provide a specific checklist to follow. Following these rules is essential for your safety while under anesthesia.

Common instructions include:

• Fasting: You will usually be told not to eat or drink anything (including water) after midnight the night before surgery.
• Hygiene: You may be asked to shower with a special antibacterial soap the night before or the morning of the procedure to lower the risk of infection.
• Transportation: Because you will be given general anesthesia, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you and stay with you for the first night.
• Arrival: Arrive at the hospital or surgery center at the scheduled time to allow for check-in and final preparations.

General surgical risks

Adrenalectomy is generally considered a safe procedure, but like any surgery, it carries some standard risks. Your care team will take specific steps to lower these risks before, during, and after your operation.

• Bleeding or infection: This can happen inside the body or at the site of the incision.
• Reactions to anesthesia: Some patients may feel nauseous or have a reaction to the medicine used to put them to sleep.
• Blood clots: Surgery can increase the risk of clots forming in the legs or traveling to the lungs.
• Lung issues: Respiratory problems, such as pneumonia, can sometimes occur during recovery.

Procedure-specific complications

Because the adrenal glands are tucked deep inside the body, the surgeon works close to other important organs. While rare, accidental injury to these nearby areas can happen.

• Organ injury: There is a small risk of damage to the kidney, liver, spleen, or pancreas.
• Hernia: A hernia (a bulge where tissue pushes through a weak spot) may develop at the incision site later on.
• Hormone imbalance: If one or both adrenal glands are removed, your body may not produce enough cortisol. This condition is known as adrenal insufficiency.

How complications are treated

Most complications are treatable, and your medical team will monitor you closely to catch any issues early. If an infection develops, your clinician may prescribe antibiotics. If there is excessive bleeding, a blood transfusion might be needed, though this is uncommon.

To manage hormone levels, your doctor will check your blood pressure and blood work regularly. If your body is not making enough natural steroid hormones, you may need to take hormone replacement medication (pills) for a short time or permanently.

Pain control medicines

After your adrenalectomy (surgery to remove an adrenal gland), your care team will help you stay comfortable. They often use a combination of different medicines to manage pain while limiting side effects. Your clinician will tailor this plan to your specific needs and health history.

Common options include:

• Over-the-counter relievers: Medicines like acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce swelling and soreness.
• Prescription medicines: For stronger pain, your clinician may prescribe a short course of opioid medications. These are used carefully to help you stay active during recovery.

It is important to tell your doctor about any allergies or if you have a history of kidney or liver problems. Always follow the instructions provided by your medical team to ensure these medicines are used safely.

Antibiotics

To help prevent infection at the site of your surgery, you will likely receive antibiotics. These are medicines that kill or stop the growth of harmful bacteria. This is a standard safety step for most surgical procedures.

Most patients receive a dose of antibiotics through an IV (a small tube in a vein) just before the surgery begins. In some cases, your clinician may have you continue taking them for a short time after the procedure. Your care team will decide if this is necessary based on your specific health needs.

Be sure to let your care team know if you have ever had an allergic reaction, such as a rash or trouble breathing, after taking an antibiotic like penicillin. This helps them choose the safest medicine for you.

Blood thinners and clot prevention

Because you will be moving less than usual right after surgery, there is a small risk of developing blood clots in the legs. To help prevent this, your clinician may use blood-thinning medications, such as heparin or enoxaparin. These medicines help keep your blood flowing smoothly and reduce the risk of a clot traveling to the lungs.

Along with medicine, your team might suggest other ways to keep your blood moving, such as:

• Compression stockings: Tight-fitting socks that help blood flow in your legs.
• Inflatable boots: Devices that gently squeeze your legs to mimic the effect of walking.
• Early movement: Your team will likely encourage you to sit up or walk shortly after surgery.

Your doctor will check for any risks of bleeding before starting these medicines. They will choose the best method to keep you safe based on your overall health and the type of surgery you had.

Emergency warning signs

While serious complications are rare, certain symptoms require immediate attention. You should go to the emergency room or call local emergency services (like 911) if you experience signs of a blood clot or severe internal bleeding.

• Trouble breathing: Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
• Coughing up blood: This can be a sign of a clot in the lungs.
• Sudden collapse or fainting: This may indicate very low blood pressure or a sudden drop in hormone levels (adrenal crisis).
• Severe abdominal pain: Pain that appears suddenly and feels different from your surgical soreness.

Call your surgeon or clinic if…

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice signs of infection or if your recovery does not seem to be progressing as planned. Your care team can help you decide if you need an office visit or a medication adjustment.

• Fever: A temperature higher than 101°F (38.3°C), or as directed by your surgeon.
• Incision changes: Spreading redness, increasing swelling, warmth, or foul-smelling drainage (pus) coming from the wound.
• Uncontrolled pain: Pain that is not relieved by your prescribed pain medication.
• Digestive issues: Nausea, vomiting, or the inability to keep fluids down.
• Signs of low hormones: Feeling extremely weak, dizzy, or lightheaded, which may mean you need hormone replacement medication.

Expected vs concerning symptoms

Recovering from an adrenalectomy takes time. It is helpful to know what is part of the normal healing process and what might signal a problem.

Pain and soreness

Expected: Most people feel soreness around the incision sites and some muscle aches in the abdomen or back. This usually improves steadily over a few weeks.

Concerning: Pain that suddenly gets worse, spreads to other areas, or prevents you from moving around is not typical. If your pain medication stops working as well as it did before, let your doctor know.

Fatigue and energy levels

Expected: It is normal to feel tired and have lower energy for several weeks after surgery. Your body is using energy to heal.

Concerning: Extreme exhaustion, confusion, or feeling too weak to stand can be signs of adrenal insufficiency. This happens when the remaining adrenal gland has not yet started making enough cortisol. Your clinician may need to check your hormone levels.

Non-surgical treatments

In some cases, your clinician may suggest managing an adrenal condition with medication instead of surgery. This is often an option when a tumor is small or when it is making only a small amount of extra hormones. Medications can help block the effects of these hormones on your body or help control symptoms like high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

For certain conditions, such as some types of primary aldosteronism (where the gland makes too much of a salt-retaining hormone), specific blood pressure pills can effectively manage the condition for a long time. Your healthcare team will monitor your blood work regularly to ensure the medicine is working as expected.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance, is a common approach for "incidentalomas." These are adrenal masses found by accident during a scan for an unrelated reason. If the mass is small, does not look like cancer, and is "non-functional" (meaning it does not produce extra hormones), surgery may not be needed right away.

During watchful waiting, your clinician may recommend:

• Regular imaging: Getting a CT scan or MRI every 6 to 12 months to see if the mass is growing.
• Hormone testing: Periodic blood or urine tests to make sure the gland hasn't started overproducing hormones.

This approach helps many people avoid surgery if the mass stays stable and quiet over several years.

When surgery becomes the best option

Your clinician may recommend moving from monitoring to surgery if certain "triggers" occur. The most common reason is if a tumor starts producing hormones that interfere with your health, such as causing severe high blood pressure, weight gain, or mood changes that medication cannot easily fix.

Surgery is also usually the best path if:

• The tumor grows: If a mass gets significantly larger during follow-up scans, it may need to be removed.
• Size: Most clinicians recommend surgery for tumors larger than 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) because larger masses have a higher risk of being or becoming cancerous.
• Appearance: If a scan shows features that look suspicious or irregular, your team may decide that removing the gland is the safest way to prevent future problems.

Hospital services that commonly perform this surgery

Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands, which are small organs located on top of each kidney. This procedure is most often performed in specialized hospital departments such as Endocrine Surgery, Urology, or General Surgery. Because the adrenal glands produce important hormones, these departments often work closely with Endocrinology, a branch of medicine focused on hormone health.

Many patients choose to have this surgery at large academic medical centers or specialized hospitals. These facilities often have dedicated teams that focus specifically on adrenal disorders. Your clinician may refer you to a surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery, which use small incisions and a camera to guide the procedure.

Patient resources and support services

Hospitals that perform adrenal surgery often provide resources to help you prepare and recover. These may include:

• Pre-operative education: Many centers offer guides or classes to explain what to expect before, during, and after your hospital stay.
• Endocrine support groups: Some facilities host groups where patients can share experiences about living with hormone-related conditions.
• Financial counseling: Most hospitals have staff to help you understand insurance coverage and manage the costs of surgery.
• Care coordinators: These professionals help schedule follow-up appointments with your surgeon and your hormone specialist (endocrinologist).

After surgery, you may also have access to specialized nursing care. These nurses are trained to monitor hormone levels and help manage any temporary changes in your body’s chemistry as you heal. Some hospitals also offer nutrition counseling if your hormone levels affect your metabolism or diet.

Questions for choosing where to have surgery

Choosing the right place for your surgery can help you feel more confident. You may want to ask your surgical team the following questions to help you decide on a facility:

• How many adrenalectomies does this hospital and my surgeon perform each year?
• Is this facility equipped to perform minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic or robotic procedures?
• Does the hospital have a dedicated team of endocrinologists to help manage my hormones after the procedure?
• What kind of support is available if I have questions during my recovery at home?
• Will I need to stay overnight, and what is the typical length of stay for this procedure at this hospital?

It is often helpful to choose a facility where the surgeons and hormone specialists work together in the same network. This helps ensure that your care is well-coordinated from your first visit through your full recovery.

Conditions commonly treated by this procedure

An adrenalectomy is a surgery to remove one or both of the adrenal glands. These small glands sit on top of your kidneys and produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, and blood pressure. Your clinician may recommend this procedure if a growth or tumor is found on the gland.

Common conditions that may be treated with this surgery include:

• Pheochromocytoma: A tumor that can cause the gland to release too much adrenaline, which may lead to high blood pressure.
• Cushing’s syndrome: A condition caused by an overproduction of cortisol, often referred to as the body's stress hormone.
• Conn’s syndrome: Also called primary hyperaldosteronism, this occurs when the gland makes too much of a hormone that balances salt and potassium.
• Adrenal masses: Sometimes called incidentalomas, these are growths found during imaging tests for other health issues.

Related symptoms people search for

The symptoms associated with adrenal conditions often depend on whether a tumor is producing extra hormones. Because many of these signs can be caused by other health factors, your clinician may perform specialized testing to find the exact cause.

Common symptoms that people may experience include:

• High blood pressure that is difficult to manage with typical treatments.
• Muscle weakness or a general feeling of heavy fatigue.
• Unexplained weight changes, such as new fat deposits on the upper back or face.
• A rapid heartbeat, tremors, or feelings of anxiety.
• Low potassium levels found during routine blood work.

If you have concerns about these symptoms, your healthcare team can help determine if they are related to your adrenal glands or another health condition.

Evidence overview

Adrenalectomy is a well-established surgical procedure used to remove one or both adrenal glands. It is considered the standard treatment for adrenal tumors that may be cancerous or for glands that produce excessive amounts of hormones. Medical guidelines and research support this surgery as an effective way to manage conditions such as Cushing syndrome, Conn syndrome, and pheochromocytoma.

Advances in medical technology have made minimally invasive techniques, known as laparoscopic surgery, the preferred method for most patients. This approach uses small incisions (cuts) and a tiny camera, which typically results in less pain and a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. However, open surgery remains a safe and necessary option for removing larger tumors or those that may have spread.

Safety notes and individualized care

Adrenalectomy is generally safe, but like any major surgery, it carries potential risks. Your clinical team will discuss general surgical risks with you, which may include infection, bleeding, blood clots, or reactions to anesthesia. Because the adrenal glands are located deep in the abdomen, there is also a small risk of injury to nearby organs, such as the kidney, liver, or spleen.

Hormone levels play a major role in your recovery. Specific safety considerations include:

• Blood pressure control: If your tumor was releasing stress hormones, your blood pressure might change during or after surgery. The medical team monitors this closely to keep it stable.
• Hormone replacement: If both adrenal glands are removed, you will need to take hormone medication for the rest of your life. If only one is removed, the remaining gland usually takes over, though you may need temporary medication while it adjusts.

Your surgeon will tailor the procedure to your specific health history. Factors such as the size of the tumor, your body type, and previous surgeries will help them decide whether a minimally invasive or open approach is safest for you.