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Removing a Kidney: Explaining the Nephrectomy

15th September, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

The word “nephrectomy” is a word that also means a surgical operation for removing a kidney or a part of a kidney. This type of procedure is also referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When the kidney becomes irreparably diseased or damaged and can no longer function properly, it may be necessary to remove all or part of it through nephrectomy surgery.

The kidneys play several roles, but one major function is to act as the bloodstream’s filtration system. The kidneys collect wastes and toxins from the bloodstream so they can be removed from the body in urine.

A nephrectomy is done as a treatment for one of several possible kidney problems. It is typically done for kidney removal in cases of failing kidneys or kidney cancer.

When the entire kidney is removed, the procedure is called a complete or radical nephrectomy. When only part it removed, it’s called a partial nephrectomy. A third type of nephrectomy is called a donor nephrectomy. This occurs when someone donates a healthy kidney to another person who needs a kidney transplant.

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

1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy – This is a minimally invasive operation using several small incisions instead of one large one. A small camera is placed inside the body, and the surgeon uses instruments placed in the incisions to remove tissue as needed.

2. Open Nephrectomy – This type of nephrectomy operation involves a 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 type of kidney removal operation that’s appropriate depends on how much of the kidney needs to be removed, and the cause of the problem.

You may be asking at this point what factors determine how much of the kidney needs to be taken out.

There are a number of considerations. For instance, how extensive is the damage to the kidney? How much of the kidney 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 a malignancy, he or she will need to know if it has spread to nearby tissues or to the other kidney.

To help determine the best course to follow, a variety of tests will be given that include the following:

Ultrasound – Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to create a computer picture of soft tissue.

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.

Your doctor will decide on the procedure for your situation after examining the tests.

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

Kidney removal surgery can sometimes have post-surgery complications like high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. However, in most cases, a nephrectomy will succeed without complications, allowing the patient to continue the same – or nearly the same – quality of life as before.

Find additional information on this and related similar subject matter by clicking removing a kidney, nephrectomy or kidney problem.