Laparoscopic Nephrectomy - Why And How It Is Done

The removal of a kidney is termed a nephrectomy. This procedure is used to remove all or a part of the kidney. The main function of the kidneys is to purify the blood by the removal of toxins and waste products. Urine is produced while the blood is filtered and when the kidneys are unable to filter the blood, which mainly happens due to some disease, they may have to be removed.

There are different types of nephrectomy and they mainly differ depending on the portion of the kidney to be extracted and the reason for the removal. When the kidney is removed for donation purposes, the procedure is termed a donor nephrectomy. In other cases, partial or complete nephrectomy is done.

There are two ways to perform this surgical operation while removing the kidneys or their affected parts.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: In this procedure complete incision of the abdominal wall is not necessary. The doctor makes several small incisions and inserts a tube with a camera attached to it. Through other incisions, the instruments to perform the surgery are inserted. The complete operation is performed in coordination with the images displayed by the camera on the screen fitted in the vicinity.

Open Nephrectomy: In this procedure, a large portion of the patient's abdominal wall is removed. Through this incision, the kidney is then removed. This procedure is largely adopted and takes a longer recovery period than a laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Depending on the portion of the kidney that is affected and needs removal, the type of surgery is selected by the doctors. The portion of the kidney that needs to be removed is determined by the extent of the damage caused to it by the disease. The disease affecting the kidney might also damage the tissues in the surrounding areas and thus comprehensive examination of the area is important before any surgery is performed.

The extent of damage to the kidney can be determined with the help of results obtained through various tests such as ultrasound, tomography and MRI.

With ultrasound technology, the images of the kidneys are obtained, which helps in determining the extent of the damage caused to it. With a CT scan, the images of cross sectional slices of the kidney tissue are obtained. An MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, gives a clear 3D image of the kidney. With the results of all these tests, the doctor determines the procedure to be used to remove the kidney.

The laparoscopic nephrectomy is performed under a general anesthetic. It causes less complications than the open surgery and the patient has to stay in the hospital for a fewer number of days than in the case of an open nephrectomy.

By: Sandy Rutherforde

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