Removing a Kidney: What Is A Nephrectomy Operation?

“Nephrectomy” is a term used by medical professionals which refers to a surgical procedure for the removal of a kidney or a section of a kidney. It is sometimes also referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When when the kidney can no longer function properly because of disease or damage, kidney removal surgery or a nephrectomy may be become necessary.

The kidneys play several roles, but one of the most important is to act as the bloodstream’s filtering system. The kidneys collect harmful toxins and wastes from the blood so they can pass out of the body in urine.

A nephrectomy is done because of one of several possible kidney problems. It is most often used in cases involving kidney failure, and where there’s kidney cancer or abnormal tissue growth.

Removing an entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy procedure. A partial nephrectomy procedure describes the removal of a part, but not the entire kidney. When someone donates their healthy kidney to another person it’s called a donor nephrectomy.

Generally speaking, there are two different kinds of operations used for removing a kidney.

1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy – When the surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen instead of one large one, it’s called a laparoscopic nephrectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure using a camera attached to a tube to guide the surgeon’s movements as he or she removes tissue.

2. Open Nephrectomy – Unlike the laparoscopic type, an open nephrectomy procedure involves making a large open incision for removing the kidney or part of the kidney.

The reason for the surgery and amount of kidney tissue that needs to be removed will determine which type of nephrectomy procedure should be used.

You’re probably wondering what factors determine how much kidney tissue needs to be removed.

The first factor is the amount of damage to the kidney, or how much of it has been affected by disease. The doctor will also consider whether the damage is located in more than one kidney or not. In the case of cancer, he or she will need to know if it has spread to nearby tissues or to the other kidney.

Several tests are available to help your doctor determine the answers to these questions, including:

Ultrasound – Sound waves can be used to “paint” a computer-enhanced picture of the kidney and surrounding tissues.

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 – You’ve probably heard of this as an “MRI.” This technology employs radio waves and a magnetic field to produce a 3D, computer-enhanced image your doctor can use to evaluate the level of disease or damage in an organ.

After evaluating the data from these tests, your doctor will determine the surgical procedure that is right for your situation.

Recovery time is not the same for everyone. It varies depending on the overall condition of your health and the type of operation you’ve had.

A necphrectomy can sometimes have post-surgery complications like 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 subject matter by clicking kidney removal, nephrectomy or kidney problem.