Adrenal glands, which are located on the top of both kidneys, produce hormones important to proper body function. However, when the gland is found to have a tumor, it often become necessary to remove the entire gland.
Joseph Petelin, MD, FACS, will remove an adrenal gland by performing a Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy during a live surgery Webcast on December 13, 2007 at 6:30 pm CST. Petelin performed one of the first laparoscopic Adrenalectomies in 1991, and was the first to report on the procedure. Petelin's leadership in its development has led the procedure to become the standard of care for patients needing removal of an adrenal tumor. MORE...
Adrenal glands, which are located on the top of both kidneys, produce hormones important to proper body function. However, when the gland is found to have a tumor, it often become necessary to remove the entire gland.
Joseph Petelin, MD, FACS, will remove an adrenal gland by performing a Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy during a live surgery Webcast on December 13, 2007 at 6:30 pm CST. Petelin performed one of the first laparoscopic Adrenalectomies in 1991, and was the first to report on the procedure. Petelin's leadership in its development has led the procedure to become the standard of care for patients needing removal of an adrenal tumor.
"Before we did this laporascopically, we used a large flank incision to remove the gland. It would require seven to ten days in the hospital," Petelin said. "Now we use just three to four small incisions and the patient usually goes home within 24 hours."
While they are generally benign, adrenal tumors can secrete abnormal levels of hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin that affect body systems. Petelin said patients with adrenal tumors could have symptoms as simple as high blood pressure or weight gain.
During the Webcast viewers can submit questions to the physician to be answered live. They can also request an appointment or more information. The Webcast will be archived on the site for viewing following the live airing.
About Shawnee Mission Medical Center
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) is a 383-bed facility and the second largest hospital in the Kansas City metropolitan area with nearly 20,000 inpatient admissions and more than 195,000 outpatient admissions annually. SMMC had the busiest emergency department in Johnson County, the area's first accredited Chest Pain Emergency Center, a nationally recognized Center for Women's Health and delivers more babies each year than any other hospital in the metropolitan area. SMMC employs more than 2,800 local residents and supports an exceptional staff of more than 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, the largest medical staff in Kansas City.
