Nephrectomy(Kidney Removal)Pronounced: Neh-FREK-toh-mee
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Diana Kohnle DefinitionIn a radical nephrectomy, the whole kidney is removed. In a partial nephrectomy, only the diseased piece of the kidney is removed. Reasons for Procedure TOPKidney removal may need to be done because of:
Possible Complications TOPProblems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
Long-term complications from decreased kidney function may include: Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications, such as: What to Expect TOPPrior to ProcedureYour blood type is checked. This is done in case a blood transfusion is needed before or after surgery. Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure. Do not eat or drink after midnight before the procedure. You may need to take medication to cleanse your bowels. AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep during the procedure. Description of Procedure TOPA tube called a catheter will be inserted into your bladder. An incision will be made in the abdomen or side of the abdomen. A rib may need to be removed to access the kidney. The tube from the kidney to the bladder is known as the ureter. If the whole kidney is being removed, the ureter and blood vessels will be cut before kidney will then be removed. If only part of the kidney is removed the ureter and blood vessels will be kept. The incision will be closed.
Laparoscopic surgery may also be used for a nephrectomy. Several keyhole incisions are made in the area. The abdominal cavity will be inflated with gas. A laparoscope, a long tool with a camera on the end, will be inserted through one of the holes. This allows the doctor to see inside you. Tools will be inserted through the other holes to perform the surgery. The same steps will be used to detach the kidney. A small incision will be made to remove the kidney. How Long Will It Take? TOPBetween 2-4 hours How Much Will It Hurt? TOPAnesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications. Average Hospital Stay TOPThe typical hospital stay after a nephrectomy is 2-7 days. The exact length depends on the type of surgery. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications occur. Post-procedure Care TOPAt the HospitalIV fluids and pain medication will be given after surgery. Blood pressure, electrolytes, and fluid balance will all be carefully monitored to evaluate kidney function. A urinary catheter is often needed for a short time following surgery. You will be encouraged to move around and be cautiously active as symptoms allow. Preventing InfectionDuring your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection, such as:
There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection, such as:
At HomeAvoid difficult exercise or activities for about 6 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions. If both kidneys are removed hemodialysis or kidney transplantation will be necessary. Call Your Doctor TOPContact your doctor if your recovery is not progressing as expected or you develop complications, such as:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away. RESOURCES:National Cancer Institute http://cancer.gov National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www.niddk.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada https://www.canada.ca The Kidney Foundation of Canada http://www.kidney.ca References:Andersen MH, Mathisen L, Oyen O, et al. Postoperative pain and convalescence in living kidney donors—laparoscopic versus open donor nephrectomy: a randomized study.
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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/brady-urology-institute/specialties/divisions-programs/minimally-invasive-surgery/kidney-donation/laparoscopic-live-donor-nephrectomy.html. Accessed March 6, 2018. Kidney cancer. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed March 6, 2018. Park YH, Byun SS, Kang SH, et al. Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with open radical nephrectomy for pT1-2 clear cell renal-cell carcinoma: a multi-institutional study.
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Last reviewed March 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Alan Drabkin, MD Last Updated: 1/23/2014 |
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