What does adrenalectomy mean?
Adrenalectomy is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands, the small endocrine glands that sit above the kidneys and produce hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. It may be used to remove a functioning tumor, treat severe adrenal disease, or reduce dangerous hormone overproduction. A unilateral adrenalectomy removes only one gland, whereas a bilateral adrenalectomy removes both. The latter can cause permanent adrenal insufficiency, requiring lifelong replacement of glucocorticoids and usually mineralocorticoids. The term is used in medicine and surgery, especially in discussions of adrenal tumors, Cushing's syndrome, and primary hyperaldosteronism. Although adrenalectomy may eliminate the need for medication that suppresses excessive hormone production, it is a major operation with important consequences for hormonal balance and long-term care.
nounSurgical removal of one or both adrenal glands. The procedure may be performed to treat certain tumors or severe hormone-related disorders.
- The surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.
"The patient underwent a laparoscopic adrenalectomy after a small tumor was found in the right adrenal gland."
"A bilateral adrenalectomy was necessary to control the patient's severe hormone disorder."
"Her recovery after adrenalectomy was faster than the surgical team had expected."
The plural is used when referring to multiple surgical removals of adrenal glands or multiple cases of the procedure.
"The article compares outcomes after adrenalectomies performed using different surgical approaches."
Removing both adrenal glands can eliminate the body's need for natural adrenal hormones, but it also creates a lifelong need for hormone-replacement therapy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does adrenalectomy come from?
Adrenalectomy is formed in English from adrenal and the combining form -ectomy. The latter comes from Greek ektomē, meaning excision or removal, and is widely used in the names of surgical operations. The element adrenal ultimately combines Latin ad-, meaning toward or near, with renalis, meaning of the kidney, reflecting the glands' anatomical position above the kidneys.
How adrenalectomy is actually used
This is a formal medical and surgical term used chiefly in clinical reports, research literature, and specialist discussions.