The adrenal is a small gland situated above the kidneys. There are 2 adrenals as there are 2 kidneys. The adrenal may sometimes be removed when the adjacent kidney is removed for various reasons.

The adrenal is a common site for small growths or adrenal tumors. Most of these growths are not cancer. They are usually asymptomatic and detected on ultrasound or CT scan. There is no need to remove most of these adrenal tumors. They are sometimes called incidentalomas, as they do not cause any problems and are discovered incidentally. However, when there is a suspicion that the adrenal tumor may be adrenal cancer or causing imbalance in the body’s hormone levels or functions, the adrenal tumor together with the adrenal may need to be removed. The removal of the adrenal is known as adrenalectomy.

The adrenal lies in a very confined space. A large incision is usually necessary to gain access to the organ. In Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy, access to the adrenal is obtained using long thin instruments inserted through tiny wounds on the skin. In laparoscopic adrenalectomy, the adrenal can be removed with these instruments in a minimally invasive fashion.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is done under general anesthesia. The patient usually stays only a couple of days in the hospital for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Normal activities can be resumed fairly quickly after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.