Minimally invasive adrenal surgery

Minimally invasive adrenal surgery is laparoscopic removal of adrenal tumor through the abdominal or back approaches. There will be 3 - 4 small incisions instead of one large as it used to be in a past.  This technique makes the healing process faster and with minimum scar formation

Scar 2 weeks after left laparoscopic adrenalectomy:

SURGERY:

Anesthesia

The procedure is done under general anesthesia

Length of hospital stay

The average length of stay is 24 hours. Most patients require only overnight stay.

Pain

Postoperatively most of the patients have little pain which is easily controlled with postoperative pain medications or injections.

Drain: there will be no drains.

Stitches and Scars:

The surgery performed through 3-4 small incisions, the stitches will be small, subcutaneous which dissolves on its own and do not required removal. Steri-strips will be applied and will stay for 3-6 days. They will peel off on its own. Because the incisions will be small and the stitch will be subcutaneous the size of the scar will be much less than that with traditional open surgeries performed in the past.

However the scaring tendency is dependant on the individual skin healing proprieties. The surgeon will make all efforts to have best cosmetic result possible.

COMPLICATIONS:

Bleeding:

With current technique the incidence of bleeding is minimal.

Wound infection:

With current technique the incidence of wound infection is minimal.

POSTOPERATIVE CARE: 

Incision site:

The steri-strips will peel off on its own in 6-8 days. After that you can apply moisturizer to the wound.

Physical restrictions:

There will be limited physical restrictions for about 2 weeks after the surgery. Most of the patients resume their normal physical activities within several day after the surgery.

Shower:

You can take shower in 48 hours (2 days) after the surgery. Do not scratch or peel off the strei-strips, just wipe it with the towel.

Pathology report:

Usually available within 5-7 days after the surgery

Problem calls:

Please immediately call doctor if you develop significant pain, abdominal swelling fever or chills after the surgery. We are available  24 hours a day 7 days a week  on our pager.

Postoperative visit:

2-3 weeks after the surgery: for wound check and pathology report.