Adrenal Gland Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is adrenal gland surgery?
Adrenal gland surgery, also called adrenalectomy, is an operation to remove one of the two adrenal glands. Each gland is small and sits just above a kidney, and each produces hormones that help control blood pressure, salt balance and the body's response to stress. The operation is done when a gland carries a growth or is releasing too much of a hormone, and it is often carried out by keyhole surgery. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, the decision to operate is made only after a full assessment, because the reason a gland needs removing shapes how the surgery is planned.
Who needs it
You may need adrenal gland surgery if a scan has found a growth on an adrenal gland, or if tests show a gland is overproducing a hormone. Most adrenal growths are not cancer, but a growth may still need removing if it is large, if it is getting bigger, or if its appearance on imaging raises concern. A gland that makes too much hormone can raise blood pressure, cause weight or skin changes, weaken muscles, or produce sudden surges that are hard to control, and surgery is considered when this cannot be settled in other ways. Not every adrenal growth needs an operation. Many small, quiet growths are simply watched over time, and at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah that judgement is made with you rather than for you.
What happens
Assessment comes before any operation. You will usually have blood and urine tests to measure the hormones the gland is producing, along with imaging such as a CT or MRI scan to show the size and position of the growth. Where a hormone problem is likely, this work is coordinated with hormone specialists so the gland is fully understood before surgery is planned. Some hormone-producing tumours need a course of medication first to steady blood pressure and prepare the body, and this preparation can take a while, so the operation is scheduled once it is safe. The surgery itself is done under general anaesthetic. In many cases it is keyhole surgery, working through several small cuts with a camera and fine instruments, though a larger open operation may be needed for a bigger growth or a difficult position. Your surgeon at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah will explain which approach fits your case and why.
Preparing for it
Your team will tell you which medicines to stop or continue, particularly blood thinners and any tablets started to control hormone effects, and whether you need to fast before the anaesthetic. If you are taking medication to prepare for surgery, take it exactly as directed, because this step protects you during the operation. Tell your surgeon about all your health conditions, allergies and past operations. Arrange time off work and someone to help you at home for the first days. This is the time to ask what the operation involves, what happens to your hormone levels afterwards, and what recovery is likely to look like for you.
Afterwards
Some soreness around the small cuts, tiredness and a need to take things gently are normal in the early days after adrenal gland surgery. If you had a hormone-producing gland removed, your hormone levels can shift, so your team may check your blood and adjust any medication while your body settles. Your surgeon will give you a timeline for returning to normal activity rather than a fixed date, because recovery differs from person to person. Seek urgent care if you develop a fever, spreading redness or discharge from a wound, severe or worsening pain, dizziness or fainting, or if you feel very unwell, as these need prompt review. If you were told to carry emergency instructions about your steroid or hormone medication, follow them and contact your team.
Risks and limitations
Every operation carries risk. Adrenal gland surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and a reaction to the anaesthetic, and there is a small chance a keyhole operation needs to become an open one during surgery, which is a safety judgement in your favour rather than a fault. Because the glands sit close to the kidney and major blood vessels, nearby structures can rarely be affected. For a hormone-producing tumour, the main challenge is the swing in hormones around the operation, which is why careful preparation is essential. Results vary from person to person: surgery removes the gland, and the type of operation and its risk depend on your individual case. Most people manage well with one remaining adrenal gland, which continues the work of the one removed.
Cost and insurance
Adrenal gland surgery usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, covering the operation, the anaesthetic, the hospital stay and follow-up. Starting the approval early is worth doing, as it is a common cause of delay, and the tests and specialist input needed beforehand may need their own approval. Some plans require evidence that the growth or hormone problem was fully assessed first, and elements such as a private room may not be covered. Coverage varies between policies and can change, so confirm exactly what your plan includes with Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah on 06 599 7777 before scheduling your operation.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the adrenal gland and why would it be removed?
The adrenal gland is a small gland above each kidney that makes hormones controlling blood pressure, salt balance and the stress response, and one is removed when it holds a tumour or is making too much hormone that cannot be managed in other ways.
Are adrenal tumours usually cancer?
Most adrenal growths are not cancer, but a growth may still be removed if it is large, growing, or looks concerning on a scan, and its appearance and your hormone tests guide whether an operation is advised.
Is adrenal gland surgery done by keyhole?
Adrenal gland surgery is often done by keyhole surgery through several small cuts, though a larger open operation may be needed for a bigger growth or a difficult position, and your surgeon will explain which approach suits your case.
Why do I need hormone tests before the operation?
Hormone tests before adrenal gland surgery show whether the gland is overproducing a hormone, which changes how the operation is prepared and whether you need medication first, so the tests are done to make the surgery safer.
Can I live with one adrenal gland?
Most people manage well with one adrenal gland after the other is removed, as the remaining gland continues its work, though some people need hormone medication and monitoring, which your team will arrange and explain.
Will I need medication before the surgery?
Some hormone-producing tumours need a course of medication for a period before adrenal gland surgery to steady blood pressure and prepare the body, and if this applies to you, taking it exactly as directed protects you during the operation.
When should I seek urgent care after the operation?
Seek urgent care after adrenal gland surgery if you develop a fever, wound redness or discharge, severe or worsening pain, dizziness or fainting, or feel very unwell, and follow any emergency instructions you were given about hormone or steroid medication.
How is the decision to operate made?
The decision to operate on an adrenal gland is made after a full assessment with hormone tests and imaging, coordinated with hormone specialists where relevant, and it is weighed with you against simply monitoring a small, quiet growth.
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