Nephrectomy

ABOUT NEPHRECTOMY

What is a nephrectomy?

A nephrectomy is an operation to remove a kidney.

 

Nephrectomy is usually performed as a minimally invasive surgery by using laparoscopic (keyhole) or robotic surgical instruments.

Why is a nephrectomy required?

The most common reasons for needing to have one of your kidneys removed include:

    • The kidney contains a mass/tumour which could be a cancer. Removing a kidney for suspected cancer is known as a radical nephrectomy.
    • The kidney does not work normally and/or is causing pain, recurrent infections, bleeding, severe kidney stone
      disease, or dangerously high blood pressure. Removing a kidney for a non-cancerous condition is known as a
      simple nephrectomy

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the kidney. These abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can spread to other parts of the body.
PATIENT JOURNEY

What does a nephrectomy involve?

Laparoscopic/robotic nephrectomy is performed in hospital under general anaesthetic (completely asleep).

 

We inflate your abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide gas to create space to perform the operation.

 

We make 4 – 6 keyhole incisions in your abdomen through which we can insert the laparoscopic/robotic surgical instruments.

 

We separate your kidney from surrounding structures such as the bowel, liver, spleen, muscle, and fat. We then staple or clamp off the blood supply to your kidney.

 

Sometimes the adrenal gland (a small hormone producing gland which sits on top of the kidney) is removed at the same time.

 

Your kidney is removed via one larger (10-15cm) incision in the lower abdomen.

What does a nephrectomy involve?

The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches or staples.

 

You will have a catheter (a tube draining urine from the bladder) for 1 – 2 days after the operation.

 

You may have a drain (a plastic tube coming out of the abdomen) for a few days after the operation.

What is the recovery after a nephrectomy?

You will usually be in hospital for 2 – 4 days after the operation.

 

You will have mild pain for several weeks after the operation.

 

You will be given pain relief medication in hospital and at home to help control the pain.

 

Depending on your job, you can usually return to work 2 – 4 weeks after the operation.

 

You will usually be able to return to driving 2 – 4 weeks after the operation.

 

You won’t be able to do vigorous exercise or heavy lifting for 6 – 8 weeks after the operation.

Are there any side effects from having only one kidney?

Provided your other kidney works normally, there usually aren’t any long-term effects from having only one kidney.

 

After the operation, you may need to make diet and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of damage to your remaining kidney.

 

Your urologist and/or GP will monitor the function of your remaining kidney for several years after the operation.

 

They will also check for other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, which can damage your remaining kidney.

 

Very rarely, you may need renal dialysis or a kidney transplant if your remaining kidney stops working normally.

OUR TEAM

The following doctors in our practice perform nephrectomy:

Dr Tim Smith

Dr Tim Smith

Urologist
Dr Andrew Keller

Dr Andrew Keller

Urologist
Dr Anojan Navaratnam

Dr Anojan Navaratnam

Urologist
Dr Glen Wood

Dr Glen Wood

Urologist
Dr Gregory Malone

Dr Gregory Malone

Urologist
Dr Jason Paterdis

Dr Jason Paterdis

Urologist
Dr Jonathan Chambers

Dr Jonathan Chambers

Urologist
Dr Katherine Gray

Dr Katherine Gray

Urologist
Dr Peter Burke

Dr Peter Burke

Urologist

Book an appointment

Book an appointment to discuss this procedure with one of our doctors.