Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is surgery to remove the adrenal gland. It is done when a small tumor is found on the gland. . It may also be done if you are bleeding, , or if you have a chronic (long-term) infection, or other growths in the adrenal gland. Surgery may also be done for an adrenal gland disease, such as Addison disease, that is causing severe (very bad) symptoms. The adrenal gland is a small gland that sits on top of each kidney. The glands produce hormones and chemicals that control how different parts of your body work. An adrenal gland disease may cause the glands to make too much or not enough of these substances. This may lead to high blood pressure, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), Cushing syndrome, or Addison disease.
  
  
• During a laparoscopic adrenalectomy, small incisions (cuts) are made in your abdomen (stomach). Caregivers will insert special tools and a laparoscope through these incisions to do the surgery. A laparoscope is a long metal tube with a tiny video camera and a light on the end. This gives caregivers a clear view of the abdominal area by looking at a TV monitor. Your caregiver may remove the whole adrenal gland or just part of it. After this surgery, the symptoms of your adrenal gland condition or disease may go away.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Diet: Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day, and if you need to be on a special diet.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your surgery, condition, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• You feel very full and cannot burp or vomit (throw up).
  
  
• You have pain in your abdomen or shoulder area that does not go away or gets worse.
  
  
• You have problems having a bowel movement.
  
  
• You have pus or a foul-smelling odor coming from your incision.
  
  
• You have severe chest or shoulder pain and trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• Your symptoms become worse or come back.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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