Adrenalectomy

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy with the appropriate surgical experience can be safely performed in dogs. Case selection is important and candidates for this procedure include dogs with left or right-sided unilateral adrenal tumors without invasion of the caudal vena cava. Laparoscopy is performed in lateral recumbency and this approach provides superior visualization over an “open”/laparotomy approach. This procedure is more complex and technically difficult to perform than the more common laparoscopic procedures (e.g. ovariectomy, gastropexy etc) but in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon can be performed quickly and safely to reduce patient morbidy and discomfort, shorter hospitalization times, and faster return to normal activity.