Nephrectomy – Taking Out A Kidney

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September 1, 2010

“Nephrectomy” is a medical term referring to a surgical procedure for the removal of a kidney or part of a kidney. It is sometimes also referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When normal kidney functions are compromised because of disease or damage, kidney removal surgery or a nephrectomy may be become necessary.

One of the important jobs done by the kidneys is collecting and removing toxins and wastes from the blood. This filtering process the way urine is produced.

A nephrectomy is done as a solution to one of several possible kidney problems. It is usually done for kidney removal in cases involving kidney failure or kidney cancer.

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. Sometimes, a person who needs a kidney transplant will get a healthy kidney from another person. A “donor nephrectomy” is the term used to describe the procedure in which the healthy kidney is removed from the donor.

A nephrectomy can currently be done one of two 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 procedure 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.

The condition of the kidney and how much tissue needs to be removed will determine what kind of nephrectomy is the better option.

So how does the surgeon decide how much kidney tissue to remove?

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 also consider whether the damage is located in more than one kidney or not. In the case of a tumor, 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 – The doctor creates a computer-enhanced picture of the kidney and surrounding tissues uses sound waves.

Computerized Tomography – Also known as CT, this uses specialized X-Ray technology to produce images of a thin cross-sectional view of the soft tissues within the kidney.

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.

Your doctor will evaluate the results of these various tests and suggest the appropriate surgical procedure for you.

Recovery time from nephrectomy surgery depends on a number of factors. Your overall health and the type of procedure that was done are important.

After a nephrectomy, some patients experience post-surgical complications. These may include hypertension and chronic kidney disease. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, patients who have had a kidney removed recover fully and return to the same happy, normal lives they enjoyed before their kidney problems developed.

You can get more information on this and related similar subjects by clicking kidney removal surgery, nephrectomy or kidney problems.

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