Kidney removal is a surgery done to remove a part or the entire Kidney. Depending upon the requirement, it is performed in different ways. It might involve
- Partial removal of a kidney(partial nephrectomy)
- Complete kidney removal(simple nephrectomy)
- Abstraction of one kidney together with adrenal gland (radical Nephrectomy) and surrounding fat .Sometimes the neighboring Lymph nodes too may be removed if required.
To know more about Nephrectomy, consult Dr. Sumanta Mishra, one of the best Urologists in Bhubaneswar
Kidney removal surgery is carried out at the hospital. You may have to remain hospitalised for couple of days depending on the recovery rate. The surgery is done when you fell asleep and is a pain free procedure as you are under general anaesthesia.
The procedure normally takes around three to four hours but may prolong in few cases. Consult Dr. Sumanta Mishra, one of the best Urologists in Bhubaneswar to know more about Nephrectomy
Simple Nephrectomy (Open Kidney removal)
- You would be lying sideways. Surgeon shall make incision of around 12 inches (30 to 40 centimetres) on your side. This cut is taken either just below the ribs or on your side or exactly over your lowest rib.
- Muscles, fats and tissues are cut and set apart. Your surgeon might want to remove one rib for carrying out the procedure.
- Then Ureter, the tube carrying urine from your kidney to your bladder and the blood vessels are cut and set aside from the kidney. Removal of the kidney then takes place.
- At times, only a portion of the kidney is removed. (It is called partial nephrectomy)
- Thereafter using stitches or staples, the cut is closed
Radical Nephrectomy (Open Kidney removal)
- Surgeon shall make incision of about 8 to 12 inches (approximately 20 - 30 cms) long. The cut is on the front side of the belly, below the ribs. Possibly, it can also be done through your side.
- Muscles, fats and tissues are cut and set apart. Ureter, the tube carrying urine from kidney to the bladder and the blood vessels are then set away from the kidney. Removal of the kidney then takes place.
- The surgeon then takes out the surrounding fats and at times the adrenal gland and some lymph lumps.
- Thereafter using stitches or staples, the cut is closed
Laproscopic Kidney removal
- Surgeon shall make 3 to 4 smaller cuts, generally not more than one inch (i.e approx. 2.50 cm) each, in the belly and on your side. This surgery is done with the help of tiny probes and camera.
- Just before the end of the surgery, the surgeon enlarges one of the cuts to about four inches (10 cm) for removal of the kidney.
- Surgeon then cuts ureter and places a bag all over the kidney. He then pulls the kidney from the larger opening.
- This type of surgery might take longer time as compared to radical nephrectomy. This surgery is comparatively much more comfortable for the patient as the recovery time and the pain is less compared to open kidney removal procedure.
“Sometimes the surgeon is likely to make cut at a different location than mentioned above.In some of the hospitals or medical centres, this surgery is performed with the help of robotic tools.” Says Dr. Sumanta Mishra, one of the renowned Urologists in Bhubaneswar
Why the need of this procedure?
There can be several reasons for kidney removal. Few of them are listed below.
- For Donation purpose
- For rectifying the birth defect
- Kidney Cancer or suspected cancer
- Infectious kidney, kidney stones ,other problems
- Trauma( very bad injury) to the kidney which cannot be repaired
- For controlling high blood pressure when in case a person who have problems with blood supply to the kidney
Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal) is available in Bhubaneswar, consult Dr. Sumanta Mishra, one of the best Urologists in Bhubaneswar
Risks
There are risks associated with any kind of surgery. Few of them are listed below.
- Blood clots inside legs that might travel to lungs
- Infection in lungs, bladder, kidney or surgical wounds
- Loss of blood
- Infection of lungs, kidney, bladder or surgical wounds
- Breathing problems
- Stroke or heart attack during surgery
- Response to medicines
Few risks are associated with kidney removal procedure.
- Kidney failure of another kidney
- Injury to other structures or organs
- Probability of another kidney not working well after removal of kidney
- Hernia of surgical wound
Consult Dr. Sumanta Mishra, one of the best Urologists in Bhubaneswar, to know the risks associated with the surgery.
Prior to the Procedure
Be particular in informing the health care expert:
- If you are pregnant
- What drugs you presently consume including the herbs, drugs, supplements and vitamins that you purchased without prescription
On the days prior to surgery:
- Need of taking blood samples in case blood transfusion is needed
- Your health care expert may ask you to discontinue few drugs like aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, Clopidogrel, warfarin and blood thinners
- Check with your health care expert which all drugs you need to consume on the surgery day
- Quit smoking, it helps you recover faster
On the surgery day:
- You might be asked by the health care expert not to eat or drink anything post-midnight, on the night before your surgery day
- Take the prescribed drugs along with smaller sip of water
- The arrival time to hospital will be intimated to you
Post Procedure
You shall remain hospitalized for a period of 1 to 7 days depending on the form of the surgery performed. During the stay, you might:
- Will be instructed to sit at the side of the bed
- You shall be asked to walk probably the same day the surgery is carried out
- Require a drain coming out from the surgical cut
- Have a catheter or tube coming from the bladder
- Not be permitted to eat for initial 2-3 days, would start with liquid diet thereafter
- Be cheered to carry out breathing exercises
- Be asked to wear compression boots, stockings are both to avoid clotting of blood
- Take shots to avoid clotting of blood
- Have pills or pain relief medicine in veins
Recovery from a open surgery can be painful for few as it depends on the location where cut is taken. Recovery post Laparoscopic surgery is often less painful and quicker.
Dr. Sumanta Mishra, is a renowned surgeon for Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal) in Bhubaneswar.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The result is mostly satisfactory after removal of one kidney. If either both the kidneys are extracted or the remaining kidney do not perform well enough then the patient need a kidney transplant or haemodialysis.