Adenectomy: Surgical Removal of Glands — Types, Indications, and Recovery

Adenectomy (from Greek aden = gland, ectomy = excision) is the surgical removal of a gland or glandular tissue. The specific name reflects the gland involved.

Common Adenectomy Procedures

Surgical Approaches

• Open: Traditional incision (collar, flank, midline).
• Minimally invasive: Laparoscopic (adrenal), endoscopic transsphenoidal (pituitary), robotic (thyroid, adrenal).
• Outpatient potential: Many thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal (lap), salivary cases same-day discharge.

Risks & Complications

• Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (thyroid/parathyroid) → hoarseness.
• Hypocalcemia (post-parathyroidectomy / total thyroidectomy) — "hungry bone syndrome."
• Adrenal insufficiency (bilateral adrenalectomy → lifelong glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid replacement).
• Lymphedema (axillary/inguinal lymphadenectomy).
• Facial nerve injury (parotidectomy).
• Bleeding, infection, seroma, keloid.

Recovery

• Outpatient or 1–2 night stay (open adrenal, extensive neck dissection).
• Pain: mild-moderate (incisional); nerve-related neck/shoulder discomfort.
• Activity: No heavy lifting >10 lbs × 2–4 wks; driving off narcotics.
• Follow-up: Hormone levels (TSH, Ca²⁺, cortisol), pathology review, surveillance imaging per oncology protocol.

Colon Cancer - Related Articles

• Understanding and Managing Stage 3 Colon Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide
• Ascending Colon: Key Functions in Water Absorption, Microbiome, and Immunity
• Colon Cancer: Understanding Gas and Potential Symptoms
• Bowel Cancer Screening & Testing: Early Detection & Options
• Understanding Stage 2 Colon Cancer Treatment Options
• IV Use During Colonoscopy: Sedation, Hydration, Safety & Monitoring
• Understanding Colon Cancer Stages: A Comprehensive Guide

Colon Cancer

• Understanding Bowel Cancer: Symptoms & Early Detection
• Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) - Symptoms & Risk
• Colon Cancer Detection: Why Upper GI Exam Misses It & Colonoscopy Is Needed
• Rectal Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors & Prevention | Mayo Clinic & ACS
• Adenocarcinoma Prognosis: Survival by Stage and Emerging Therapies
• Ribbon Stools: Causes, Symptoms & What They May Indicate
• Colon Cancer: Blood Tests, Symptoms, and When to Get Screened
• Dietary Fiber and Colon Cancer Prevention: A Mayo Clinic Overview
• Colon Cancer Stage 3 Life Expectancy: Factors & Outlook
• Colon Cancer Growth Timeline: From Polyp to Tumor Detection
• Understanding Hemoccult Tests: What to Expect & Why They're Important
• Colonoscopy Aftercare: What to Expect After the Procedure

Health Sciences © https://www.222health.com

Procedure	Gland Removed	Common Indications
Thyroidectomy	Thyroid (total, subtotal, hemi)	Thyroid cancer, multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, compressive symptoms
Parathyroidectomy	1–4 parathyroid glands	Primary hyperparathyroidism (adenoma, hyperplasia), secondary/tertiary HPT
Adrenalectomy	Adrenal gland(s) (unilateral/bilateral)	Adrenal adenoma (functioning: Conn's, Cushing's, pheo), metastasis, adrenocortical carcinoma
Lymphadenectomy	Lymph node dissection (regional/radical)	Cancer staging (melanoma, breast, GI, GYN, GU), therapeutic for nodal disease
Salivary gland excision	Parotid, submandibular, sublingual	Pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumor, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, chronic sialadenitis
Pinealectomy	Pineal gland	Pineal tumors (germ cell, pinealoma)
Pituitary adenomectomy	Pituitary adenoma (transsphenoidal)	Functioning (prolactinoma, acromegaly, Cushing's), non-functioning mass effect