Nephrectomy (kidney removal)

Overview: 

Nephrectomy (kidney removal) is the surgical removal of a kidney to treat kidney disorders. Kidney disorders include cancer, life-threatening kidney diseases, or trauma. Nephrectomy can also be done for transplantations. It can be removed in total or partially. 

Types of Nephrectomies: 

Nephrectomy is of two types. They are partial and radical nephrectomy. In partial nephrectomy, only a part of the kidney is removed. This is also called the kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing nephrectomy. Whereas in a radical nephrectomy, the entire kidney will be removed. Along with the kidney, the gland present above it, the tube connecting it with the urinary bladder, and the fatty tissue covering the kidney are removed. If both kidneys are removed, it is called bilateral nephrectomy. Donor nephrectomy is the process of removing a healthy kidney from the donor for transplantation. 

Types of Nephrectomy procedures:

Nephrectomy is done in traditional and advanced ways. They are: 

• Open Nephrectomy: This is a traditional method of making cuts along the abdomen to access the kidneys. Occasionally, a rib may be removed to access the surgical site. This procedure is adapted when advanced and less invasive techniques cannot be used. 
• Laparoscopic surgery: This is an advanced method where small cuts or ports are made in the abdomen and a small device with a camera at the tip called the laparoscope is placed. Later surgical tools are used to remove the defective or damaged kidney by viewing through the laparoscope. This has many advantages of being less invasive, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay, and lesser complications when compared to the open nephrectomy. 
• Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic surgery: This is also an advanced nephrectomy procedure where a surgeon uses a robotic system to do the procedure. It has a similar advantage to laparoscopic surgery. 

Indications: 

A nephrectomy is done when kidneys are damaged due to a tumor, infection, or trauma. 

• In the case of kidney cancer called renal cell carcinoma in adults, a nephrectomy is done to remove the affected kidney. Partial or radical nephrectomy is planned based on the extent of the tumor, the number of tumors, the spread of the tumor to neighboring tissues, and the functionality of the affected kidney and the adjacent kidney. 
• Kidneys are also removed when the kidney is affected by repeated infections, leading to the malfunctioning of the organ. 
• Kidneys are also removed when an individual suffers from trauma, causing damage to the kidneys. 

Before the procedure: 

Before undergoing a kidney removal, an individual should realize and understand the importance and necessity of the procedure by discussing it with the HCP. All the medications taken by the individual should be informed to the HCP, along with the history of previous diseases, infections, surgeries, and allergies. Based on the medications taken, some medicines are advised to stop depending on the health condition and risk vs. benefits. These include over-the-counter medications, blood thinners, and opioid painkillers. Other medicines may be prescribed by the HCP before undergoing a biopsy.

Certain routine blood and urine investigations are carried out to rule out any infections or other conditions not known to the individual. Advanced imaging techniques like MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound may be done to study the extent of the tumor spread or the damage. Based on the amount of the spread of the disease, either partial nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy is planned. 

It is better to discuss and know the type of nephrectomy done with the healthcare professional. Nephrectomy is done on an empty stomach. Hence, it is advisable to stop eating or drinking 8 hours before the procedure. 

During the procedure: 

Nephrectomy is done under general anesthesia and requires the placement of a urine tube called a catheter. Based on the extent of the disease either partial or radical nephrectomy will be done. There are different ways to carry out nephrectomy. Based on the method of surgery and the medical condition of the patient open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted laparoscopy method is used. The laparoscopic method can also be used to remove a kidney for donor transplantation. 

After the procedure: 

After the surgery, the individual is taken to a recovery room and monitored until the vitals stabilize. Vitals are often checked for signs of bleeding or distress, and necessary blood tests are also performed. Patients are discharged based on their condition and the method of nephrectomy chosen, generally after a week. Medications for pain and infections are prescribed. Instructions are given on the diet and exercises. It is advised not to be involved for at least six weeks in strenuous activities like heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, including contact sports, and sexual intercourse after the surgery.

The success of the procedure: 

It depends on the amount of kidney removed and lack of recurrence of the disease, and the functioning of the remaining kidney. One has to regularly monitor the blood pressure, filtering capacity of the remaining kidney, and the levels of protein in the urine which show the damage in the kidney. Keeping oneself away from strenuous contact sports, having a balanced diet, and keeping oneself healthy can keep the remaining kidneys healthy. 

Risks and complications: 

Though nephrectomy is safe, there are certain risks and complications. Bleeding, infections, trauma to the internal organs, pneumonia, and allergic reactions to the medications are some of the risks associated with the procedure. Long-term complications include high blood pressure, proteinuria, and chronic kidney disease development, which need regular monitoring. 

Conclusion:

Nephrectomy is an important surgical intervention done to address kidney disorders. With advanced surgical techniques, superior patient outcomes can be obtained. Regular monitoring after the surgery ensures optimal health with an increased quality of life. 

Popular Searches :

Hospitals: Cancer Hospital in Delhi | Best Heart Hospital in Delhi |  Hospital in Amritsar | Hospital in Ludhiana | Hospitals in Mohali | Hospital in Faridabad | Hospitals in Gurgaon | Best Hospital in Jaipur | Hospitals in Greater Noida | Hospitals in Noida | Best Kidney Hospital in Kolkata | Best Hospital in Kolkata | Hospitals in Rajajinagar Bangalore | Hospitals in Richmond Road Bangalore | Hospitals in Nagarbhavi Bangalore | Hospital in Kalyan West | Hospitals in Mulund | Best Hospital in India | | Cardiology Hospital in India | Best Cancer Hospital in India | Best Cardiology Hospital in India | Best Oncology Hospital In India | Best Cancer Hospital in Delhi | Best Liver Transplant Hospital in India

Doctors: Dr. Rana Patir | Dr. Rajesh Benny | Dr. Rahul Bhargava | Dr. Jayant Arora | Dr. Anoop Misra | Dr. Manu Tiwari | Dr. Praveer Agarwal | Dr. Arup Ratan Dutta | Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja | Dr. Anoop Jhurani | Dr. Shivaji Basu | Dr. Subhash Jangid | Dr. Atul Mathur | Dr. Gurinder Bedi | Dr. Monika Wadhawan | Dr. Debasis Datta | Dr. Shrinivas Narayan | Dr. Praveen Gupta | Dr. Nitin Jha | Dr. Raghu Nagaraj | Dr. Ashok Seth | Dr. Sandeep Vaishya | Dr. Atul Mishra | Dr. Z S Meharwal | Dr. Ajay Bhalla | Dr. Atul Kumar Mittal | Dr. Arvind Kumar Khurana | Dr. Narayan Hulse | Dr. Samir Parikh | Dr. Amit Javed | Dr. Narayan Banerjee | Dr. Bimlesh Dhar Pandey | Dr. Arghya Chattopadhyay | Dr. G.R. Vijay Kumar | Dr Ashok Gupta | Dr. Gourdas Choudhuri | Dr. Sushrut Singh | Dr. N.C. Krishnamani | Dr. Atampreet Singh | Dr. Vivek Jawali | Dr. Sanjeev Gulati | Dr. Amite Pankaj Aggarwal | Dr. Ajay Kaul | Dr. Sunita Varma | Dr. Manoj Kumar Goel | Dr. R Muralidharan | Dr. Sushmita Roychowdhury | Dr. T.S. MAHANT | Dr. UDIPTA RAY | Dr. Aparna Jaswal | Dr. Ravul Jindal | Dr. Savyasachi Saxena | Dr. Ajay Kumar Kriplani | Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi | Dr. Anupam Jindal 

Specialties: Heart Lung Transplant | Orthopedic | Cardiology Interventional | Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Onco Radiation | Neurosurgery |  Interventional Cardiology | Gastroenterologist in Jaipur | Neuro Physician | Gynecologist in Kolkata | Best Neurologist in India | Liver Transfer