Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

The adrenal glands are two small organs, one located above each kidney. The adrenal glands are known as endocrine glands because they produce hormones. The most common reason that a patient may need to have the adrenal gland removed is excess hormone production by a tumor located within the adrenal. Most of these tumors are small and not cancers. They are known as benign growths that can usually be removed with laparoscopic techniques.

In the past, making a large 6 to 12 inch incision in the abdomen, flank, or back was necessary for removal of an adrenal gland tumor. Today, with the technique known as minimally invasive surgery, removal of the adrenal gland (also known as “laparoscopic adrenalectomy”) can be performed through three or four 1/4-1/2 inch incisions.

The surgery is performed under a complete general anesthesia. A laparoscope (a tiny telescope) connected to a special camera is inserted into the abdomen. This gives the surgeon a magnified view of the patient’s internal organs on a TV screen. Other instruments are inserted which allow your surgeon to delicately separate the adrenal gland from its attachments. The adrenal gland is then placed in a small bag and removed through one of the incisions. It is almost always necessary to remove the entire adrenal gland in order to safely remove the tumor.

What are the advantages of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy?

• Less postoperative pain

• Shorter hospital stay

• Quicker return to normal activity

• Improved cosmetic result

• Reduced risk of herniation or wound separation

Laparoscopic Splenectomy

The spleen is a blood filled organ located in the upper left abdominal cavity. It is a storage organ for red blood cells and contains many specialized white blood cells which filter blood.
There are several reasons why a spleen might need to be removed. The most common reason is a condition called ITP, or idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (low platelets of unknown cause). Hemolytic anemia (a condition that breaks down red blood cells) and hereditary conditions that affect the shape of red blood cells may require splenectomy. When the spleen gets enlarged, it sometimes removes too many platelets from your blood and has to be removed.

For a laparoscopic splenectomy, you will be placed under general anesthesia. A laparoscope (a tiny telescope connected to a video camera) is put into the abdomen. Several instruments are placed in different locations on your abdomen to allow your surgeon to remove your spleen. After the spleen is cut from all that it is connected to, it is placed inside a special bag. The bag with the spleen inside is pulled up into one of the incisions on your abdomen. The spleen is broken up into small pieces (morcelated) within the special bag and completely removed.

What are the advantages of Laparoscopic Splenectomy?

• Less postoperative pain

• Shorter hospital stay

• Faster return to a regular, solid food diet

• Quicker return to normal activities

• Better cosmetic results

Excerpted from Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons' Task Force on Patient Information.