Adrenalectomy in adrenal hypertension.

Between 1965 and 1983, a total of 138 patients with endocrine hypertension were treated at the Münster Surgical Clinic. 71 catecholamine-producing tumors were removed in 56 patients, 60 patients had primary aldosteronism; 32 patients with Cushing's syndrome received uni- or bilateral adrenalectomy. The operative access to the adrenals was by anterior abdominal incision which we consider superior to lateral or transthoracic approaches. 35 complications occurred. The operative management of these forms of secondary hypertension, with its low overall rate of complications, is currently seen as the most successful therapeutic approach.