Nephrectomy

Nephrectomy refers to a surgery in which all or part of a kidney is removed.

Nephrectomy

Nephrectomy refers to a surgery in which all or part of a kidney is removed. Nephrectomy takes place in 3 ways. These ways are as follows:

  • Removal of part of the kidney (partial nephrectomy)
  • Removal of the entire kidney (simple nephrectomy).
  • Removal of the entire kidney, surrounding fat and adrenal gland, as well as nearby lymph nodes (radical nephrectomy)

It is an intervention performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes about three hours or longer.

The Reasons for Nephrectomy

There are various reasons for the application of nephrectomy operation. These reasons are generally as follows.

  • Kidney tumours such as hypernephroma
  • If the kidney is severely affected by benign diseases such as hydronephrosis
  • When the kidney is damaged by infection, kidney stones or other problems
  • When there is trauma to the kidney that causes serious injury
  • When someone donates a kidney
  • If there are birth defects
  • This operation is applied to control high blood pressure in people who do not have a good source.

How Is Nephrectomy Performed?

It is applied in different ways according to nephrectomy methods. At this point, it is possible to express the following details about the application of nephrectomy.

Simple nephrectomy: The patient is laid on his side. The doctor makes an incision up to 30 cm on one side just above the ribs. Cutting removes muscle, fat and tissue. A rib may need to be removed. The surgeon will then cut the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) and blood vessels, and then remove the kidney.

Radical nephrectomy: Surgeon; It makes an incision of 20-30 cm in front of the abdomen, under the ribs. This procedure can also be done from the side. In the same way, muscle, fat and tissue are also removed. The ureter and blood vessels are also cut to remove the kidney. In addition to oils, it may sometimes be necessary to remove the adrenal gland and some lymph nodes.

Laparoscopic kidney surgery: The surgeon makes three or four small incisions in the abdomen and sides to use small probes and a camera to perform the surgery. The surgeon then enlarges one of the incisions to 10 cm in order to remove the kidney. He will also cut the ureter, place a bag around the kidney and pull it out through the larger incision. It is an operation that may take longer than open nephrectomy, but provides a better recovery with less pain.