Revolutionary Robotics Healing Adrenal Disorders

A groundbreaking single-incision adrenal surgery is now available, and it is proving to be much faster, resulting in shorter hospital stays. Adrenal problems, whether caused by cancer or hormone overproduction, are often discovered incidentally while treating other conditions. Patients may present to the ER with abdominal pain or other symptoms, only to find out through a CT scan that they have an adrenal mass.

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 innovative procedure involves making only one incision, through which all instruments are inserted using the high-definition camera of the robot. This single entry point reduces the risk of infections, shortens hospital stays to just one day, and leads to less pain for patients.

Patients undergoing this surgery lie on their stomach, while the surgeon accesses the adrenal gland through the back to reach the retro-peritoneum. Adrenal issues, whether caused by cancer or hormone overproduction, can have serious consequences if left untreated. They can lead to elevated blood pressure and exacerbate conditions like diabetes. Thankfully, 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.