✦ Adrenal Tumor Treatment

Open Adrenalectomy

Q: Is open adrenalectomy still necessary in the robotic era?

Yes — for adrenocortical carcinoma, very large tumors, or vascular invasion, open surgery provides margins and vascular control that minimally invasive approaches cannot safely achieve.

Q: What is the recovery time after open adrenalectomy?

Hospital stay is 5–10 days; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks; return to light work is possible in 4–5 weeks.

Q: What are the risks of open adrenalectomy?

Risks include bleeding from adrenal or renal vessels, adjacent organ injury, infection, and for malignant tumors, incomplete resection requiring adjuvant therapy.

Open Surgical Removal of Large or Malignant Adrenal Tumors

120–240 min PROCEDURE

5–10 Days HOSPITAL STAY

>90% SUCCESS RATE

4–6 Weeks RECOVERY

What is Open Adrenalectomy?

Open Adrenalectomy is performed through a flank, retroperitoneal, or midline abdominal incision for adrenal tumors where laparoscopic or robotic surgery is contraindicated — particularly adrenocortical carcinoma, very large tumors (>12 cm), tumors with vascular invasion, or cases requiring simultaneous resection of adjacent organs. Open surgery provides maximal exposure, tactile feedback, and vascular control necessary for radical en-bloc resection of malignant adrenal tumors. The procedure is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia with a hospital stay of 5–10 Days. Success rates reach >90% in appropriately selected patients at experienced centres.

Patients with adrenocortical carcinoma, adrenal tumors >10–12 cm, suspected local invasion, inferior vena cava involvement, or those requiring multi-organ resection. Patients must be adequately fit for anaesthesia and free from active systemic infection before proceeding.

How the Procedure Works

Incision & Access

Appropriate incision based on tumor size and location — flank, chevron, or midline.

Retroperitoneal Exposure

Retroperitoneal space developed; kidney, great vessels, and adjacent organs protected.

Adrenal Exposure

Adrenal gland and tumor exposed with wide margins around the tumor.

Adrenal Vein Control & En-Bloc Resection

Adrenal vein controlled and divided early; tumor delivered en bloc with wide margins.

Multi-Organ Resection & Closure

Adjacent structures resected if involved; haemostasis secured; drains placed.

Outcomes

120–240 minDURATION

5–10 DaysHOSPITAL STAY

>90%SUCCESS RATE

4–6 WeeksFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→En-bloc resection with wide margins for adrenocortical carcinoma.
→Maximal exposure for very large tumors or those with adjacent organ involvement.
→Vascular control of the great vessels if IVC involvement is present.
→Allows simultaneous resection of adjacent invaded organs.
→No size restriction — suitable for any adrenal tumor size.
→Definitive oncological surgery with curative intent for malignant adrenal tumors.

"Open adrenalectomy for malignant adrenal tumors is surgery with intent to cure. The wide exposure and vascular control it provides are essential for safely resecting large or invasive adrenal cancers that cannot be managed minimally invasively."

— — Dr. Vipin Reddy, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Is open adrenalectomy still necessary in the robotic era?+

What is the recovery time after open adrenalectomy?+

What are the risks of open adrenalectomy?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

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