August 30th, 2010
Taking Out A Kidney: Explaining the Nephrectomy Operation
When part or all of a kidney is removed in surgery, the procedure is called a nephrectomy. It may also be referred to as nephrectomy surgery. When when the kidney can no longer function properly because of disease or damage, kidney removal surgery or a nephrectomy may be become necessary.
One of the many important functions of the kidneys is filtering and removing toxins and wastes from the blood. This cleaning process the way urine is produced.
A nephrectomy is done as a solution to one of several possible kidney problems. Kidney cancer and kidney failure are two of the most typical reasons for a nephrectomy.
Removing an entire kidney is called a complete or radical nephrectomy procedure. A partial nephrectomy procedure describes the removal of a section, but not all of the kidney. A third type of nephrectomy is called a donor nephrectomy. This means someone donates a healthy kidney to another person who needs a kidney transplant.
Generally speaking, there are two different types of operations used for kidney removal.
1. Laparoscopic Nephrectomy – The surgeon makes several small incisions. A tube with a small camera attached to it is placed in one of them. Instruments for performing the surgery are placed in the others. The surgeon uses the camera to guide his or her movements in using the instruments to remove all or part of the kidney.
2. Open Nephrectomy – This type of nephrectomy procedure involves one large open incision rather than several small ones. The surgeon removes as much tissue as necessary through the large incision. This is the “traditional” method of kidney removal, and requires a longer recovery period.
Your surgeon will discuss with you which type of nephrectomy is more appropriate in your situation. The decision will depend on why you need the surgery and how much of the kidney needs to be removed.
What factors determine how much tissue must be removed from the kidney?
The first factor is the amount of damage to the kidney, or how much of it has been affected by disease. The doctor will have to find out if the problem affects only one area or only one kidney. He or she will want to ascertain if affects nearby tissue or the other kidney.
There are several types of tests that will help answer these questions. They include:
Ultrasound – This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney and the tissues around it.
Computerized Tomography – This technology uses special X-rays to produce computer-enhanced pictures of thin, cross-section “slices” of tissues in the kidneys. It is also refered to as CT or CT scanning.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging – This type of technology employs radio waves and a magnetic field to produce computer-enhanced 3-dimensional views of the kidney. Also known as an”MRI.”
Your doctor will evaluate the results of these various tests and suggest the appropriate surgical procedure for you.
Recovery time from nephrectomy surgery depends on a number of factors. Your overall health and the type of procedure that was done are important.
Kidney removal surgery can sometimes have post-surgery complications like hypertension and chronic kidney disease. in an overwhelming majority of cases, the patient can live a happy, healthy life with the remaining kidney tissue – even though overall kidney function will be less than normal.
You can get additional information on this and related similar subject matter by clicking kidney removal surgery, nephrectomy or kidney problems.