Told by a doctor she was a 'walking time bomb' in that her high blood pressure could result in a stroke at any moment, LeeAnne Doel says her life has returned to normal thanks to a new operation to remove an adrenal gland.
University of Queensland Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery John Rutherford and Greenslopes Hospital Operating Theatre Sister Elaine Heffernan have painstakingly developed laparoscopic or keyhole surgery for removing adrenal glands since 1993.
Their technique builds on the work of Professor Richard Gordon, head of the University's Medicine Department at Greenslopes Hospital and the Hospital Hypertension Unit, who for 25 years has studied high blood pressure caused by adrenal gland malfunction - otherwise known as 'primary aldosteronism'.
The new operation - bringing immediate improvement for certain high blood pressure patients - has now been performed more than 100 times making Brisbane the leading centre world-wide.
Mrs Doel, of Baradine in New South Wales, said doctors were baffled when her blood pressure soared and remained very high following the birth of her fourth child, Luke, in September 1996.
She was eventually placed on medication and forced to visit a doctor or the local hospital for blood pressure checks every few days.
She said the worry made caring for her young children, running her small clothing business and helping husband Grant with their cattle and wheat farm very difficult.
After nearly five months of no explanation for her condition or blood pressure improvement, Mrs Doel said she was told about Professor Gordon's work by a family friend at a school speech night.
Mrs Doel attended Greenslopes Hospital just before Christmas and following a series of tests and consultations with Professor Gordon, a tumour was discovered on one of her adrenal glands.
An operation on January 22 this year to remove the adrenal through keyhole surgery has returned her blood pressure and life to normal, she said.
'I feel the healthiest I've felt in a long time. It's a shame more people don't know about this operation,' she said.
Professor Gordon said most patients who experienced the surgery had primary aldosteronism - an unwanted excess of salt-retaining hormone - causing hypertension or high blood pressure. Often difficult to control, the condition can be caused by a benign tumour on an adrenal gland, necessitating its removal.
'The Unit's research suggests approximately eight out of every 100 patients with hypertension suffer from primary aldosteronism with the possibility of cure. Sometimes it runs in families,' Professor Gordon said.
Professor Gordon recommends screening for adrenal causes in all hypertensive patients and says removal of an adrenal gland has no detrimental effects.
The research collaboration between Professors Gordon and Rutherford has resulted in the diagnosis of 60 new cases of adrenal-related hypertension each year and removal of between 15 and 30 adrenals each year compared to only a few operations performed annually by leading American and European hospitals.
Laparoscopic surgery involves special, long tools fitted with various surgical instruments and one tiny camera. The tools and the camera are inserted into a patient via several, 1cm-wide incisions or 'ports'. Pictures are transmitted to a television screen which the operating team watch to perform the procedure.
After cutting the adrenal gland free, a tiny plastic bag with a string-pull top is passed down a long instrument and the adrenal manoeuvred inside. The bag is then pulled closed and drawn back up the instrument and out of the body.
'Technically difficult to perform, laparoscopic surgery benefits the patient through a more rapid convalescence and discharge from hospital,' Professor Rutherford said.
Another operation to remove an adrenal gland was recently performed on Queensland shark identity Vic Hislop.
For years, Mr Hislop said he battled high blood pressure with constant warnings from specialists of an imminent stroke or heart attack.
He said his blood pressure had since returned to normal thanks to the keyhole surgery. Mr Hislop, who runs a shark and whale expo in Hervey Bay, said the operation had 'saved his life'.
'Constant high blood pressure resulted in heart strain and this called for immediate action. I was referred to Professor Gordon who thoroughly tested me, finally diagnosing a tumour on one of my adrenal glands,' he said.
'My quality of life has greatly improved allowing me to continue my work.'
For more information, contact Professor Gordon (telephone 3394 7284), Mrs Doel (telephone 068 438 288 at home or 068 431 519 at work) or Mr Hislop (telephone 071 289 137 or mobile 018 187 525).
