Aug 29 2010
The Nephrectomy - Kidney Removal
When part or all of a kidney is removed in surgery, the procedure is called a nephrectomy. It may also be referred to as nephrectomy surgery. Nephrectomy surgery is needed when a kidney malfunctions because it is irreparably diseased or damaged.
The role of the kidney is to filter waste and toxins from the blood so they can be passed out of the body as urine.
A nephrectomy is done to treat one of several possible kidney problems. Kidney cancer and kidney failure are two of the most typical reasons for a nephrectomy.
Removing an entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy procedure. A partial nephrectomy procedure describes the removal of a section, but not all of the kidney. A third type of nephrectomy is known as a donor nephrectomy. This occurs when someone donates a healthy kidney to another person who needs a kidney transplant.
There are two common ways kidney removal surgery can be done and they are listed below:
1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy - The surgeon makes several small incisions. A tube with a tiny camera attached to it is placed in one of them. Instruments for performing the surgery are placed in the others. The surgeon uses the camera to guide his or her movements in using the instruments to remove all or part of the kidney.
2. Open Nephrectomy - Unlike the laparoscopic type, an open nephrectomy procedure involves making one single, large open incision for removing the kidney or part of the kidney.
The type of procedure that’s appropriate depends on how much of the kidney needs to be removed, and the cause of the problem.
The question you’re probably asking right now is, “What factors determine how much of the kidney needs to be taken out?”
The first factor is the amount of damage to the kidney, or how much of it has been affected by disease. Is the damage confined to the kidney or has it spread to the tissue surrounding the kidney? Are there one or several tumors in the kidney? It will also depend on whether or not the other kidney is healthy or if both kidneys are damaged.
To help determine the best way to proceed, a variety of tests will be given that include the following:
Ultrasound - Sound waves can be used to “paint” a computer-enhanced picture of the kidney and surrounding tissues.
Computerized Tomography - Specialized X-ray technology is used to produce cross-sectional views of the kidney. Also called CT.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Popularly known as “MRI.” This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves that produce 3D images or a cross-sectional view of the soft tissues.
After looking at all the data from these tests, your doctor will recommend the operation that is best for your situation.
Recovery time for a nephrectomy will depend on which type of surgery you’ve had and your overall health.
Nephrectomies can sometimes have post-surgery complications like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, nephrectomy patients recover completely and return to the same happy, normal lives they enjoyed before their kidney problems developed.
Find more information on this and related similar subject matter by clicking kidney removal, nephrectomy or kidney problem.
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