What is the procedure for a nephrectomy?
In a radical nephrectomy, the surgeon removes the whole kidney, the fatty tissues surrounding the kidney and a portion of the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder (ureter). The surgeon may remove the adrenal gland that sits atop the kidney if a tumor is close to or involves the adrenal gland.
What is the best definition of nephrectomy?
Definition of nephrectomy : the surgical removal of a kidney.
What is a kidney procedure?
Procedures used for kidney stones include the non-invasive lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to break up large stones so they can pass more easily through the urinary system, and a surgery called percutaneous nephrolithonomy (PCNL) to remove stones that are too big for other treatments.
Why is kidney removal called nephrectomy?
If only part of your kidney is removed, that’s called a partial nephrectomy. “Nephro” means “kidney” while “ectomy” means “removal.”
What are the indications of nephrectomy?
Indications for nephrectomy include kidney cancer, severe trauma to the kidney and benign disease such as symptomatic hydronephrosis, chronic infection, polycystic kidney disease, shrunken kidney, hypertension or renal calculus.
What are the types of nephrectomy?
There are two types of nephrectomy procedures:
- Partial nephrectomy, where a surgeon removes only the diseased portion of the kidney. You may have an open partial nephrectomy or a laparoscopic/robotic partial nephrectomy.
- Radical nephrectomy, where a surgeon removes the entire kidney.
What are the complications of nephrectomy?
Possible complications of nephrectomy surgery include:
- Infection.
- Bleeding (hemorrhage) requiring blood transfusion.
- Post-operative pneumonia.
- Rare allergic reactions to anesthesia.
- Death.
How long is nephrectomy recovery?
Recovering from kidney removal most often takes around 3 to 6 weeks. You may have some of these symptoms: Pain in your belly or on the side where you had the kidney removed.