ADRENALECTOMY – Southwest Surgical Associates

What is an adrenalectomy?

An adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands (one above each kidney) that produce the following hormones:

Cortisol

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone because the adrenal glands release it when you feel worried, fearful, or anxious. The hormone increases blood sugar, regulates blood pressure and sleep cycles, and controls protein, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism.

Aldosterone

Aldosterone controls blood pressure and regulates levels of sodium and potassium.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

Epinephrine and norepinephrine energize your body when you face a dangerous or stressful situation.

DHEA and androgenic steroids

These hormones convert estrogen into male hormones like progesterone.

What symptoms indicate I need an adrenalectomy?

Symptoms develop as functioning tumors produce abnormally high hormone levels. You may experience:

Anxiety
Fatigue
Excessive sweating
Frequent urination
Severe headaches
Heart palpitations
Rapid heartbeat
Weight gain
Muscle weakness
Fragile skin
Prominent stretch marks
Menstrual irregularities

You can also develop high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

What can I expect during hernia surgery?

Southwest Surgical Associates offers minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for hernia repair. Minimally invasive surgery requires fewer and smaller incisions to access and repair the hernia so that you can heal faster. The providers can also use open surgery techniques if necessary, which requires longer, deeper incisions.

The surgeons can also use the da Vinci robotic surgery system for hernia surgery. Using this technology, the surgeons control specialized robotic arms from a computer console. The arms hold surgical instruments that the surgeons can maneuver with heightened precision.

During hernia surgery, the providers focus on positioning protruding organs into their original location and strengthening the weak areas of your abdominal wall with mesh. The surgeons offer both synthetic mesh and biologic mesh options for surgery.

Synthetic mesh is made of absorbable plastic materials and can repair any type of hernia. Biologic mesh uses human or animal tissue and is most beneficial in treating infected or strangulated hernias.

Adrenalectomy Surgery

If you have an adrenal tumor that produces hormones or may be cancerous, chances are you need an adrenalectomy procedure.

The skilled surgeons at Southwest Surgical Associates specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic adrenalectomies, providing the care you need with minimal pain and a faster recovery. If you have questions or need to schedule an adrenalectomy, call the nearest office in Cypress, Katy, Sugarland, Pearland, or Houston, Texas, or book an appointment online today.