Adrenal surgery refers to surgery performed on the adrenal glands, hormone-producing glands that are located above each kidney. The outer part of adrenal glands is called the cortex and the inner part is the medulla. The cortex produces the steroid hormones cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone, while the medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Together, these hormones control a variety of functions in the body. Because of this, problems with the adrenal glands can cause myriad symptoms, depending on which hormones are affected. The most common issue to affect the adrenal glands is tumors, which are usually very small and benign. In rare cases, very large or cancerous tumors may develop on the adrenal glands. Adrenal surgery is often recommended for both small and large tumors.
The type of surgery that is recommended will depend on the type of tumors that have developed on the adrenal glands. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes a portion of the adrenal glands or tumors on the adrenal glands, is the preferred treatment for non-cancerous adrenal tumors.