HOUSTON, Texas (Ivanhoe Newswire) – A groundbreaking single-incision adrenal surgery is brand new and it’s proving to be much faster, resulting in shorter hospital stays. Adrenal Problems
Adrenal problems – from cancer or hormone overproduction – are often discovered while treating something else.
Endocrine Oncology Surgeon at Houston Methodist, Helmi Khadra, MD says, “They go into the ER and they’re having abdominal pain, or they even, you know, fell and broke a bone, and just by CT scan, they find that they have an adrenal mass.”
Houston Methodist is the first to perform the robotic retro peritoneoscopic adrenalectomy.
“The advantage of this robot is making only one incision, and all of your instruments go in through that one little incision, using the high-definition camera of the robot,” explains Dr. Khadra.
This single entry point limits infections, shortens hospital stays to one day, and patients experience less pain.
Dr. Khadra further explains, “They’re on their tummy. We go in through the back to get to the space, called the retro-peritoneum.”
In addition to cancer, hormone over-production is a trigger.
“The adrenal gland usually produces hormones that work for adrenaline, blood pressure hormones, some of the sex hormones, and the stress hormone,” Dr. Khadra adds.
Without surgery, adrenal issues can elevate blood pressure and aggravate diabetes. There are two glands, so one can be safely removed. In some cases of adrenal cancer, which is aggressive, it is still done with an open procedure, to ensure it’s all removed.
Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Bruce Maniscalco, Videographer; Matt Goldschmidt, Editor.
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MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TITLE: GROUNDBREAKING ROBOTICS CURING ADRENAL PROBLEMS
REPORT: MB #5364
BACKGROUND: Adrenal problems refer to conditions that affect the adrenal glands, which are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. These glands play a crucial role in producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, stress response, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance. Adrenal problems can result from dysfunction or abnormalities in the adrenal glands, leading to hormonal imbalances and a wide range of symptoms. Adrenal problems affect about 100 to 140 of every million people.
(Sources: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16717-adrenal-disorders
DIAGNOSING: The symptoms of adrenal problems vary depending on the specific condition and the hormones involved but may include: fatigue and weakness, weight changes, abdominal pain, muscle weakness or cramps, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, changes in skin pigmentation, mood changes, and/or irregular menstruation or libido changes. Diagnosis of adrenal problems typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests (e.g., cortisol levels, aldosterone levels, adrenal hormone stimulation tests), imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, MRI), and sometimes biopsy for adrenal tumors.
(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16717-adrenal-disorders)
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Houston Methodist is one of the first hospitals to perform robotic adrenalectomies on patients who are experiencing adrenal issues. Endocrine oncology surgeon, Helmi Khadra, MD, was involved in this process. “Because the adrenal glands are closer to the back than the front, a retroperitoneal approach streamlines the procedure, making it a quicker operation with fewer critical organs to navigate around and resulting in an easier recovery for patients. However, it poses a unique challenge to surgeons, requiring a mental adjustment from the standard approach through the abdomen.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
Amy Mone
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