Procedure:
This procedure can be either performed through an open or a “key hole” (laparoscopic) approach. It is mostly performed with the key hole or minimally invasive approach. With the aide of four small incisions over the tummy, a laparoscope is used to visualize the adrenal anatomy, the surgeon will free and dissect the adrenal gland and remove it through one of the incision sites. The laparoscopic procedure may require conversion to a standard open procedure if complications are encountered during the surgery, i.e. excessive bleeding that obscures view of the surgical field. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
- Complications are very seldom and rarely serious, but occur with equal frequency for both open and laparoscopic surgery.
- Infection of the surgical wound may occur but is rare.
- Injury to surrounding tissue/organs incl. bowel, vascular structures, spleen, liver, pancreas, kidney and gallbladder may occur. These complications will usually be recognized at the time of surgery and may require an open operation to repair it. On occasion patients will present a few days later as a consequence of such a complication and then may require a second operation (re-look surgery).
- Hernias at the site of the incision/s rarely occurs, but are a possible complication after any type of surgery.
After your consultation:
- Obtain authorization from your medical aid and book your bed for your hospital admission.
- Carefully read through pre-operative information provided.
Day before surgery:
- Do not eat/drink after 22h00, the night before your surgery, unless otherwise specified by your surgeon or anaesthetist (you should be fasting for at least 6 hours before the procedure for solids but you are allowed to take clear liquids up to two hours before your procedure).
Day of surgery:
- Arrive for admission at indicated time on ‘Code & Consent’ sheet.
- Change into theatre attire, remove all valuable belongings.
Approximately 60-90 minutes.
Duration of hospital stay:
- 3-5 days (dependent on pain management, general state of patient and normalisation of blood hormone levels (Catecholamines and Cortisol).
Activities:
- Refrain from strenuous activities (incl. exercise) for at least 4 weeks post-operatively.
Back to work:
- Sick leave required post-operatively is approximately 7-14 days.
Some pain and discomfort post operatively may be expected following any operation, but the following measures are used to lessen the pain experienced:
- Warming devises in theatre as well as warm intravenous fluids.
- Intra-operative pain medication through the drip.
- Post-operative medication through the drip, please inform the nurses if you are in pain so that medication will be administered to you.
- As close to one week after discharge as possible. Please contact the rooms to schedule an appointment.
More procedures performed by Dr Jeske
A SKIN INCISION IS MADE AND THE CONTENTS OF THE ABSCESS IS DRAINED.
THE FISTULA TRACT IS IDENTIFIED AND IS OPENED ALONG ITS LENGTH, AND THE EXPOSED INSIDE OF THE TRACT IS THEN CLEANED OUT.
AN OPERATION TO REMOVE AN APPENDIX THAT IS INFLAMED/SWOLLEN/HAS RUPTURED/HAS FORMED AN ABSCESS.
THE COMMON BILE DUCT (CBD – THE MAIN TUBE CARRYING BILE FROM THE LIVER TO THE INTESTINE) IS OPENED UP. ANY GALLSTONES WITHIN THE DUCT CAUSING A BLOCKAGE CAN BE REMOVED.
PTC is a procedure performed by a radiologist (specialist X-ray doctor) who takes X-ray pictures of the bile ducts which are tubes inside the liver.
THE PANCREAS IS EXPOSED AND FREED FROM THE ADJACENT ORGANS. THE TAIL (DISTAL) HALF OF THE PANCREAS IS REMOVED. THE BLOOD VESSELS THAT GO TO THE SPLEEN PASS THROUGH THE PANCREAS. AS A RESULT THE SPLEEN ALSO SOMETIMES NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.