Theureterwill also be removed.
This is the tube through which urine flows from the kidney to the bladder.
The layer of fat around the kidney is also taken out.
Photo composite by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images
A radical nephrectomy may be done as alaparoscopic surgery, also known as “keyhole” surgery.
A laparoscopic nephrectomy may berobot-assisted, with the surgeon guiding the robotic tools.
This involves making a longer incision, 8 to 12 inches, and may even require removing a rib.
The kidney and other structures are removed, and the incision is stitched back up.
One can be removed in a unilateral nephrectomy.
Bilateral Nephrectomy
With bilateral nephrectomy, both kidneys are removed.
You will needdialysisto do the job of the kidneys in removing waste from your system.
Or you will need akidney transplant.
Partial vs.
Radical Nephrectomy
In some cases, you may not need to have the whole kidney removed.
Instead, you may be able to undergopartial nephrectomy.
Kidney cancers in stage 1 or stage 2 are still within the kidney.
Your hospital stay may vary from just a day to around one week, depending on the approach used.
To prevent clots, you will be given medication and asked to wear compression socks.
Who Qualifies for Nephrectomy Surgery
There are different reasons you may undergo kidney removal surgery.
Here’s a closer look at who may qualify here.
Therefore, those with two healthy kidneys could qualify as a livingkidney donorfor a person whose kidneys are failing.
The donor and recipient must be tested to ensure they have compatible blood types.
These may include:
However, keep in mind that these are complications that do not affect everyone.
It is possible to live a long, normal life with just one kidney.
After that, taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be all that’s needed.
Be aware that kidney surgery may cause complications.
Risks and Complications to Know
After kidney surgery, there’s always the risk of infection.
You may develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a surgical wound infection.
You will have routine blood and urine tests and blood pressure checks.
If you had both kidneys removed, you will need dialysis.
You may also be a candidate for a kidney transplant.
Summary
Radical nephrectomy is the removal of the entire kidney and associated structures.
It may be done using either open or laparoscopic surgery and may mean removing one or both kidneys.
Laparoscopic surgery is the easier of the two to undergo and has a shorter recovery time.
It is a major surgery performed in a hospital, with a stay of up to a week.
American Cancer Society.Treatment of kidney cancer by stage.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for kidney cancer.
NYU Langone Health.Surgery for kidney cancer.
University of California San Francisco Health.Becoming a living kidney donor.
Cancer Research UK.Problems after kidney cancer surgery.
National Kidney Foundation.What are the long-term risks of donation?
University of Michigan.Pain control after kidney surgery.
