Mr Smellie performs adrenal surgery using the Da Vinci robotic system — delivering unparalleled precision in one of the most technically demanding areas of abdominal surgery. The robotic approach offers patients smaller incisions, reduced blood loss and faster recovery.
Book a ConsultationThe adrenal glands are two small but vital organs that sit just above each kidney. They produce hormones essential to life — including cortisol (the stress hormone), aldosterone (which controls blood pressure) and adrenaline.
Adrenal tumours can be either functional — producing excess hormones with significant effects on blood pressure, metabolism and wellbeing — or non-functional, discovered incidentally on scans performed for other reasons (adrenal incidentaloma). Even non-functioning tumours may require surgical removal if they are large or growing.
Surgery to remove an adrenal gland (adrenalectomy) is the definitive treatment for most adrenal tumours. The retroperitoneal location of the adrenal glands makes them particularly well-suited to robotic surgical access, where the Da Vinci system provides superb 3D visualisation and instrument precision.
Robotic adrenalectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. Mr Smellie uses a transperitoneal approach — entering through the abdominal cavity — using three or four small ports of 8–12mm. The Da Vinci robotic arms are inserted through these ports and the surgeon operates from a console with a full 3D view of the operative field.
The adrenal gland is carefully dissected from the surrounding fat and major vessels. The adrenal vein — the key vessel supplying the gland — is identified and divided. The entire gland is then placed in a specimen bag and removed through one of the small port sites.
Special precautions are taken for phaeochromocytoma, where close collaboration with the anaesthetic team is essential to manage blood pressure fluctuations during tumour manipulation.
Mr Smellie works as part of the multidisciplinary endocrine team at Cleveland Clinic London, with specialist endocrinology, radiology and pathology input for all adrenal cases.
All patients require specialist biochemical assessment before adrenal surgery, including screening for hormonal activity. Mr Smellie will arrange all necessary investigations and work closely with endocrinology colleagues to optimise you for surgery.
Mr Smellie offers expert assessment and Da Vinci robotic adrenal surgery at Cleveland Clinic London. Early assessment is always recommended.
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