Technique of left adrenalectomy for autotransplantation to the caudate nucleus in Parkinson's disease.

Overview

Autotransplantation of the adrenal medulla to the caudate nucleus is a new neurosurgical treatment under investigation for severe Parkinson's disease. The success of the procedure is reliant partly on the ability of the urologist to remove the adrenal gland safely and atraumatically with minimal morbidity. We describe our technique using a posterior 12th rib approach, which is extrapleural and extraperitoneal. In the initial 10 patients there was no significant morbidity from the operation and all patients were discharged from the hospital within 3 to 7 days postoperatively. The importance of using a no touch technique in mobilizing the gland is emphasized, since any hemorrhage within the adrenal medulla may make it impossible to recover the tissue for stereotactic implantation. Hemorrhage occurred in 1 of our patients, who was elderly and obese. The technique described allows for adequate exposure while maintaining acceptably low morbidity from the procedure.