Adrenal glands are two smaller organs located on top of each kidney. These glands are triangular in shape and are about the size of a thumb. Adrenal glands produce hormones including epinephrine, norepinephrine and very little of sex hormones named estrogen and androgen. These hormones are involved in controlling the glucose and water usage in the body, control of blood pressure etc. At times some benign tumours are formed on this adrenal gland resulting in the production excess hormone than needed by the body. Most of adrenal tumour can be very easily removed by laparoscopic procedures. In some cases the entire adrenal gland need to be removed for some tumours even if they are not producing excess hormones.
Hernia Symptoms
Over the counter medicines and changing food habits have been found to be very effective in reducing the symptoms. Reducing weight, reducing smoking and avoiding consumption of alcohol have also been found to be very effective methods for reducing the symptoms of this type of diseases. Patients who are not benefitted by any of these methods will be required to live with the symptoms or undergo surgical procedure named laparoscopic fundoplication to find a permanent solution to the problem.
Laparoscopic procedure
In this procedure the surgeon inserts cannulas through small incisions in the belly. Through these cannulas the Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon pushes a laparoscope and other special instruments needed for the surgical procedure. Laparoscope is an instrument with a miniature camera and a light source on one end. The videos of the Laparoscopic Surgery and the internal organs taken by this camera are transmitted and displayed in front of the surgeon. The surgeon views these videos and performs the surgery controlling the instruments by their controls available near him. In this surgery the surgeon strengthens the lower esophagus by attaching upper part of the stomach to it. This reduces the reflux of food and acidic liquids back to the esophagus and strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. In the cased of hiatal hernia the protruding intestine and stomach portions are pushed back to its normal place. A synthetic mesh will be placed near the hole in the diaphragm so that the pushed back stomach will not come back again through this weaker portion.
Symptoms
- Excessive blood pressure, sweating, anxiety, and increased heart rates etc are the most common symptoms.
- Weakness, frequent urination, fatigue etc are also often experienced as symptoms. Removal of adrenal tumour is necessitated only if they promote the production of more hormones than is necessary for the body. If they are more than 2 inches in diameter and if there is suspicion that they can be cancerous, then also the tumours are removed.
Laparoscopic procedure
- Only small incisions are needed. Therefore less pain and less blood loss are involved in it.
- Quicker recovery and earlier return to routine activities are other benefits of this surgery.
- The position of adrenal gland makes laparoscopic surgery very suitable as the inner part of the abdomen can be accessed without much cutting of the tissues and blood vessels.
- This procedure is not suitable for obese persons and for patients who have already undergone abdominal surgery earlier.