Adrenalectomy- surgical removal of the adrenal gland

The adrenal glands are small triangular-shaped organs that sit on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control blood pressure, levels of different chemicals in the blood, water use in the body, glucose use, and the "fight or flight" reaction that we experience during times of stress. 

Although diseases of the adrenal glands are quite rare, the effect of adrenal gland disease can be quite severe because of the variety of functions they perform.

If there is a growth or tumor on the gland or if a disease is causing the gland to overproduce adrenal hormones, treatment requires surgical removal of all or part of the adrenal glands.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Removal of an adrenal gland is called an adrenalectomy. Dr. Bagnato specializes in minimally invasive removal of the adrenal gland using laparoscopy.

Because of their deep position in the body, traditional open procedures require the surgeon to make large incisions ranging between 6-12 inches in length on the abdomen, flank or back. With a laparoscopic approach, Dr. Bagnato can achieve the same adrenalectomy using three to four tiny incisions no bigger than ½ an inch each.  

Patients who have had a laparoscopic adrenalectomy have a faster recovery time than those who have had a traditional adrenalectomy because the procedure requires less cutting and suturing. This means that laparoscopic patients will normally experience much less discomfort, leave the hospital sooner, and have a shorter recovery time.