Surgical removal of a kidney, performed to remove a tumor, drain an abscess, or treat other kidney disorder.
Surgical removal of a kidney. Nephrectomy is generally undertaken only if the person’s other kidney is functioning normally. It is indicated when there is irreversible damage to a kidney. Cancer is the most common reason to perform a nephrectomy, but damage may be a result of traumatic injury to a kidney; chronic infection, obstruction, or pain caused by a large kidney stone; and kidney failure. Nephrectomy is also performed to obtain a kidney for a kidney transplant. transplant. It is sometimes indicated when there is an abnormality in the blood supply to the kidney or damage to the kidney caused by nephrosclerosis, pyelonephritis, or Congenital disease. Traditionally, the surgery is performed through an incision in the side, depending on several medical factors.
Surgical removal of a kidney. When performed for cancer of the kidney, the entire organ is removed together with its surrounding fat and the adjacent adrenal gland {radical nephrectomy). Removal of either the upper or lower pole of the kidney is termed partial nephrectomy.
Surgical removal of a kidney, e.g., to remove a renal cell carcinoma or injured organ, or to harvest an organ for transplantation. The surgery may be performed with a large, open incision or laparoscopically. Complications sometimes include spontaneous pneumothorax, infection, azotemia, or secondary hemorrhage.
The surgical extraction of either one or both of the kidneys.
Nephrectomy is frequently performed to address various issues. Among the primary reasons is the extraction of a cancerous tumor from the kidney. Additionally, a kidney might be surgically removed if it’s impaired due to factors like injury, infection, stone presence, or severe hypertension (high blood pressure). In certain cases, nephrectomy becomes imperative when a kidney is severely injured and uncontrolled bleeding occurs.
Nephrectomy is performed with the patient under general anesthesia. An incision is created along the lower margin of the ribs, extending from the spine to the front of the abdomen, to provide access to the kidney. Subsequently, the ureter (the conduit transporting urine from the kidney to the bladder) and the renal blood vessels are securely fastened, followed by the extraction of the kidney. After inserting a drainage tube, the incision is sutured, and the drainage tube remains in place for a duration of 24 to 48 hours.
After the extraction of one kidney, the remaining kidney assumes the responsibilities of both. However, if both kidneys are removed, the patient necessitates scheduled dialysis (artificial blood purification) or a kidney transplant for proper kidney function.