The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery

About Our Advanced Procedures

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

What is laparoscopic nephrectomy?

A laparoscopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for removing a kidney.

When is this procedure used?

Non-malignant disease (where the source is a non-functioning or minimally functioning kidney)

• Renovascular hypertension
• Recurrent pyelonephritis
• Chronically obstructed symptomatic non-functioning kidney
• Symptomatic multi-cystic dysplastic kidney

Malignant or possibly malignant disease

• Complex renal cysts
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Transitional cell carcinoma of the kidneys or ureter

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is an excellent minimally invasive treatment for the majority of localized renal tumors, up to 12 to 15 centimeters in size.

What does this procedure involve?

Unlike a conventional nephrectomy, laparoscopic surgery requires only several small incisions. Through these incisions, a surgeon uses an endoscope (tiny camera) and specialized surgical instruments to conduct the operation and remove the kidney.

How long does this surgery take?

Surgery takes approximately 2 to 3hours, and the hospital stay is usually 48 hours, even for large tumors.

What are the advantages of this procedure?

• Reduced hospital stay and faster healing
• Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
• Quicker return to normal activity and work

[ top ]