An innovative single-incision adrenal surgery is now available, providing faster results and shorter hospital stays for patients with adrenal problems. These issues, whether caused by cancer or hormone overproduction, are often discovered incidentally while treating other conditions. Patients may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain and are then diagnosed with an adrenal mass through a CT scan.
Dr. Helmi Khadra, an endocrine oncology surgeon at Houston Methodist, explains that the hospital is the first to perform the robotic retro peritoneoscopic adrenalectomy. This procedure involves making only one incision, through which all instruments are inserted using the high-definition camera of the robot. The single entry point reduces the risk of infections, shortens hospital stays to just one day, and leads to less pain for patients.
During the surgery, patients lie on their stomach while the surgeon accesses the adrenal gland through the back to reach the retro-peritoneum. Adrenal issues can have serious consequences if left untreated, including elevated blood pressure and exacerbating conditions like diabetes. Fortunately, since there are two adrenal glands, one can be safely removed if necessary.
In cases of aggressive adrenal cancer, an open procedure may still be required to ensure that all malignant tissue is completely removed. However, for many patients with adrenal issues, the single-incision robotic surgery offers a minimally invasive and effective treatment option. This advancement in surgical techniques has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with adrenal conditions.
