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Nephrectomy

A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a kidney. It’s commonly used to treat kidney cancer, severe kidney damage, or other kidney-related conditions.

Kidney cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Advances in minimally invasive surgery have made treatment safer and recovery faster for many patients. Speak with your healthcare provider to explore the best treatment plan for your condition.

Why & When is a Nephrectomy Needed?

Kidney cancer (most common reason)
Non-functioning or severely damaged kidney
Recurrent kidney infections
Severe trauma or injury to the kidney
Kidney donation (living donor nephrectomy)

Types of Nephrectomies:

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, but that doesn’t always mean it’s a minor surgery. Many abdominal procedures can be done as laparoscopic surgeries, but they’re still major surgeries. The advantages of having laparoscopic surgery include:

Removes the entire kidney, along with:The adrenal gland (sometimes)

  • A section of the ureter (tube connecting the kidney to the bladder)
  • Surrounding fatty tissue
  • Possibly nearby lymph nodes
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Used when the tumor is large or aggressive.

Partial Nephrectomy (also called nephron-sparing surgery)

  • Removes only the tumor or diseased portion of the kidney.
  • Preserves as much healthy kidney tissue as possible.
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Ideal for small or localized tumors.

Approaches to Nephrectomy Surgery:
  • Open Surgery: A larger incision is made in the abdomen or side.
  • Laparoscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive; small incisions with a camera and surgical tools.
  • Robotic-Assisted Surgery: A type of laparoscopic surgery using robotic arms for enhanced precision.
Recovery & Life After Nephrectomy:
  • Most people live a normal life with one kidney.
  • Recovery times vary by surgical approach:
    • Open surgery: 6–8 weeks
    • Minimally invasive: 2–4 weeks
  • Long-term follow-up includes kidney function tests and imaging if cancer was involved

These procedures are typically performed under general anesthesia and may involve only a few small incisions.

FAQs

How long is the recovery after minimally invasive kidney surgery?

Most patients return to light activity within 2–3 weeks and full activity by 6 weeks. Recovery is quicker than with open surgery.

What are the risks of minimally invasive surgery?

While generally safe, risks include bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs, or conversion to open surgery if complications arise.

How is robotic surgery different from laparoscopic surgery?

Robotic surgery uses robotic arms controlled by the surgeon, offering greater precision and flexibility than standard laparoscopy.