Kidney Removal: Explaining the Nephrectomy Procedure
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“Nephrectomy” is a term used by medical professionals which refers to a surgical operation for the removal of a kidney or part of a kidney. It is sometimes also referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When the kidney becomes permanently diseased or damaged and can no longer function properly, it may be necessary to remove all or part of it through nephrectomy surgery.
One of the many important functions of the kidneys is collecting and removing toxins and wastes from the bloodstream. This cleaning process the way urine is produced.
A nephrectomy is done as a solution to one of several possible kidney problems. It is typically done for kidney removal in cases involving failing kidneys or kidney cancer.
Kidney removal that includes only part of the organ is called partial nephrectomy. Removing the entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy. When someone donates a healthy kidney to someone else it’s known as a donor nephrectomy.
A nephrectomy procedure is usually done one of several ways.
1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy - This relatively new and innovative procedure allows the surgeon to avoid making a large incision. Instead, he or she makes a series of small incisions. These incisions are used to insert a miniature tube-like camera and the other instruments necessary to the procedure. The surgeon looks at an TV screen while manipulating the instruments to remove all or part of the kidney.
2. Open Nephrectomy - This type of nephrectomy operation involves one large open incision rather than several small ones. The surgeon removes as much tissue as necessary through the large incision. This is the “traditional” method of kidney removal, and requires a longer recovery period.
Your surgeon will discuss with you whether a laparoscopic nephrectomy or an open nephrectomy is more appropriate in your situation. The decision will depend on why you need the surgery and how much of the kidney needs to be removed.
The question you’re probably asking right now is, “What determines how much of the kidney needs to be removed?”
It depends on a number of different things. The first thing the surgeon will look at will be how much of the kidney is damaged or affected by disease. The doctor will have to find out if the problem affects only one area or only one kidney. He or she will want to know if affects nearby tissue or the other kidney.
Several kinds of tests can be used to help get the answers your doctor needs to do the procedure, including:
Ultrasound - The doctor creates a computer-enhanced picture of the kidney and surrounding tissues uses sound waves.
Computerized Tomography - Another name for this is CT or CT scanning. It employs special X-ray technology which creates thin, cross -sectional “slices” of kidney tissue.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - An “MRI” uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce a 3D computer image of the kidney.
Your doctor will evaluate the results of these various tests and suggest the appropriate surgical procedure for you.
Recovery time is different from one patient to another. Your recovery time will depend on the type of operation you’ve had and your overall health.
Sometimes there are long term complications associated with kidney removal surgery. These include high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. But most of the time, people who have had a nephrectomy recover fully and lead normal, healthy lives once again.
Find more information on this and related similar topics by clicking kidney removal, nephrectomy or kidney problem.
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