Understanding Partial Nephrectomy: Procedure, Types, and Recovery

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | Nov 21, 2024

A partial nephrectomy is a surgical procedure performed for the removal of a part of the kidney affected by tumours or disease while also safeguarding as much healthy kidney tissue as possible.

Are you thinking of getting the nephrectomy procedure done? Don't rush into it. Understand the procedure, and then ensure you have the best surgeon by your side.

Since you are here, allow us to share what the procedure is, what types there are, and the recovery time.

What Is the Purpose of Partial Nephrectomy?

Partial nephrectomy is recommended when there is a small tumour or localised disease in the patient’s kidney. The goal of the partial nephrectomy procedure is to remove the diseased tissue while preserving the maximum amount of healthy kidney tissue to maintain optimal kidney function. By preserving healthy tissue, partial nephrectomy helps to reduce the potential risk of long-term kidney damage and the requirement for dialysis.

Types of Partial Nephrectomy

There are two types of nephrectomy (partial):

Type 1: Open Partial Nephrectomy

This is a traditional approach that involves making a large incision in the abdomen to give access to the patient’s kidney. It gives the surgeon direct visualisation of the patient’s kidney and all the surrounding structures, allowing precise tumour removal as well as tissue preservation.

Type 2: Laparoscopic / Robotic assisted Partial Nephrectomy

Lately, robotic partial nephrectomy has become quite popular for the procedure. This minimally invasive procedure utilises robotic arms controlled by the experienced surgeon through small incisions in the patient’s abdomen. Robotic surgery offers a lot of precision, better visualisation, and shorter recovery times as compared to open surgery. (to include about laparoscopic partial nephrectomy)

So, which one would you pick out of these two? That comes later. First, understand the partial nephrectomy procedure.

Partial Nephrectomy Procedure: Understanding The Steps

The partial nephrectomy procedure typically involves different steps:

• Anaesthesia: Before a partial nephrectomy, the patient is placed under general anaesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and do not suffer from any pain.
• Incision: Depending on the type of surgery (robotic or open), the experienced surgeon makes either a large incision in the patient’s abdomen (open surgery) or various small incisions (robotic surgery) to gain access to the kidney. The size of the nephrectomy incision will depend on the type you are choosing.
• Tumour Removal: Once the kidney has been exposed, the experienced surgeon carefully identifies and then removes the diseased portion of the kidney, known as the tumour. They will try to preserve the healthy part as much as possible.
• Closure: After removing the tumour, the surgeon carefully closes the remaining kidney tissue with the help of sutures or other closure techniques for the kidney operation stitches. This aids in further healing.

Recovery from Partial Nephrectomy: How Soon Can It Happen?

The recovery process after a partial nephrectomy requires the following steps:

• Staying in the Hospital: After surgery, patients will have to stay in the hospital for a few days for general monitoring of pain and discomfort. During this time, the doctors and nurses closely monitor vital signs, manage excruciating pain, and assess the overall kidney function.
• Pain Management Is The Key: Pain medication might be prescribed to help manage discomfort during the recovery period. This is a must after most surgical procedures.
• Activity Restrictions Might Be There: Patients are advised to avoid any kind of strenuous activity and heavy lifting for many weeks following surgery. Walking is a good form of activity as it is not very intensive.
• Follow-up Care Will Be Needed: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are a must to monitor recovery progress, assess kidney function, and take care of any concerns or complications that may arise. A CT scan or ultrasound might be required.

Complications of a Partial Nephrectomy

While partial nephrectomy is usually considered safe and effective, like any surgical procedure, it carries some level of risk or complications. Take a look at the nephrectomy complications:

• Bleeding: Excessive bleeding during or right after the surgery is a rare but serious complication that may require an additional blood transfusion.
• Infection: Signs of infection might include fever, redness, inflammation, or drainage at the site of the incision.
• Decreased Kidney Function: Despite all the efforts to preserve kidney tissue, there might be a decrease in kidney function following partial nephrectomy.
• Urinary Leakage: In some of the cases, urine might leak from the surgical site, leading to different kinds of concerns, such as infection or delayed healing. Medical attention may be required in this case.

Summing Up

A partial nephrectomy aims to remove diseased kidney tissue while also safeguarding as much healthy tissue as possible. There have been advancements in surgical techniques, which is why they are becoming even more safe and effective.

By understanding the partial nephrectomy procedure, the associated Nephrectomy complications, and the recovery process, patients can make wise decisions about their healthcare and achieve desirable results.

Still got any queries? Here's a FAQ section for you to find all the answers.

FAQs