Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal )

Nephrectomy (nephro = kidney, ectomy = removal) is the surgical removal of a kidney. The procedure is done to treat kidney cancer as well as other kidney diseases and injuries. Nephrectomy is also done to remove a healthy kidney from a donor (either living or deceased) for transplantation.

NEPHRECTOMY SURGERY
Nephrectomy surgery abroad, has come as a much needed relief for patients who cannot afford the operation in their home country, or do not want to be put onto a long waiting list. Nephrectomy involves the removal of a damaged and/or dysfunctional kidney. The removal can either be of the complete kidney or only the damaged part, as per circumstances and advised by the doctor. Nephrectomy is performed on patients with severe kidney damage from either some disease, an injury or congenital conditions.

Some of the most common reasons for a nephrectomy surgery include, cancer of the kidney or renal cell carcinoma, a polycystic kidney disease and serious kidney infections. Nephrectomy is also used to describe the surgical removal of kidney from a healthy donor for the purpose of kidney transplantation.

Kidneys are located on the either side of the spine, below the rib cage. The human body can carry on functioning normally with only one kidney, so the removal of one kidney, a nephrectomy, does not render the body incapable in anyway. A kidney transplant is needed in case both the kidneys are dysfunctional, which is a different procedure altogether. The location of the surgical incision is determined by where the disease is located. Depending upon the same, an incision is made through either the stomach or the back.

Nephrectomy surgery costs are greatly reduced when one opts for a nephrectomy surgery abroad, also the process is quicker. Many world destinations are emerging as definite centers for medical tourism which offer nephrectomy surgery at affordable costs.On this page, you will find a brief overview on nephrectomy surgery procedures, the recovery time and information about some countries which facilitate kidney removal operations at low costs.
NEPHRECTOMY RECOVERY
Like any other surgical procedure, the recovery period for a nephrectomy varies from person to person, and predominantly depends on, the type of surgical procedure opted for. Recovery can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Considerable discomfort in the area of incision till it has healed completely is normal, but if unbearable or accompanied by unusual swelling, oozing and/or bleeding, it should be brought to the surgeon’s attention immediately.

Hospital stay can vary from 2-7 days, post which the patient is discharged with a follow up schedule and a prescription of medicines which are mostly pain relievers and medicines to get the body on track after the surgery. Follow ups are very essential and also make sure that all the medicines are taken on time and very religiously.
COST OF NEPHRECTOMY SURGERY AND NEPHRECTOMY SURGERY ABROAD
In the US and UK, a nephrectomy surgery can cost includes both pre and post operative costs. The total cost turns out to be too expensive for some people. This is when getting a nephrectomy surgery abroad makes complete sense. Other problems which are taken care of with a kidney removal surgery are long waiting list and unavailability of apt medical facilities in the patient’s home country. The world’s leading medical centers include technologically advanced countries like India, Thailand, Malaysia etc which facilitate nephrectomy surgery for foreign citizens.
NEPHRECTOMY SURGERY IN INDIA
India is the hub for Medical Tourism and the country brings together very affordable rates, highly qualified doctors, a professional staff and the most technologically advanced surgical procedures. Nephrectomy surgery in India costs much less than it does anywhere else in the world. Kidney removal in India is preferred because of the cost savings and the advanced facilities provided at Indian hospitals in the major industrialized cities.

Indian hospitals offer nephrectomy surgery at a fraction of the cost as compared to the costs charged by hospitals in the western countries. Increasing numbers of western patients, requiring surgeries are looking towards eastern destinations such as India, for their medical needs.
NEPHRECTOMY SURGERY PROCEDURE
A nephrectomy is performed under general anesthesia and the surgery takes approximately 4-6 hours. The procedure may be a complete nephectomy, i.e., the entire kidney is removed, or partial, in which only a small portion (the diseased or infected part) of the organ is removed. The surgeon makes an incision in the side of the abdomen to reach the kidney. Depending on circumstances, the incision can also be made in the midline. The ureter and blood vessels are disconnected, and the kidney is then removed. The surgery can be done as an open surgery, with one incision, or as a laparoscopic procedure, with three or four small incisions in the abdominal and flank area.

Recently, this procedure is performed through a single incision in the patient’s belly-button. This advanced technique is called as Single Port Access Surgery

Treatments

LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY
This surgical procedure, also known as the ‘keyhole surgery’, involves making 3-4 small cuts in the abdominal area. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laparoscope to remove the kidney. The surgeon views the kidney and surrounding tissue with a flexible video-scope. The video-scope and surgical instruments are maneuvered through four small incisions in the abdomen, and carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdominal cavity to inflate it and improve visualization of the kidney. Once the kidney is isolated, it is secured in a bag and pulled through a fifth incision. Although this procedure is slightly longer than the traditional nephrectomy, it offers advantages in terms of quicker recovery and barely visible scars. View

LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY

This surgical procedure, also known as the ‘keyhole surgery’, involves making 3-4 small cuts in the abdominal area. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laparoscope to remove the kidney. The surgeon views the kidney and surrounding tissue with a flexible video-scope. The video-scope and surgical instruments are maneuvered through four small incisions in the abdomen, and carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdominal cavity to inflate it and improve visualization of the kidney. Once the kidney is isolated, it is secured in a bag and pulled through a fifth incision. Although this procedure is slightly longer than the traditional nephrectomy, it offers advantages in terms of quicker recovery and barely visible scars.

View

OPEN NEPHRECTOMY
In the traditional open nephrectomy surgical procedure, an incision of 10-12 inches is made on the side or front of the abdomen. The blood vessels connecting the kidney to the donor are cut and clamped, and the ureter is also cut between the bladder and kidney, and clamped. Depending upon the type of nephrectomy being performed (partial or complete), the infected part alone, or the ureter, adrenal gland, and/or surrounding tissue may also be removed. The procedure can take up to 4 hours. View

OPEN NEPHRECTOMY

In the traditional open nephrectomy surgical procedure, an incision of 10-12 inches is made on the side or front of the abdomen. The blood vessels connecting the kidney to the donor are cut and clamped, and the ureter is also cut between the bladder and kidney, and clamped. Depending upon the type of nephrectomy being performed (partial or complete), the infected part alone, or the ureter, adrenal gland, and/or surrounding tissue may also be removed. The procedure can take up to 4 hours.

View