Surgical procedure for removal of kidney

The kidneys are organs in the body that perform vital functions and are necessary to maintain life. Typically, people are born with two kidneys, which are located in the middle of the back, one on each side of the spine. Most people associate the kidneys with urine production. In addition to making urine, the kidneys regulate the body's fluids, balance the body's chemicals, remove waste products from the body and release several hormones. Some diseases of the kidneys require total or partial removal of the kidney.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to remove the kidney. Before the development of this minimally invasive approach, surgeons traditionally performed an "open" abdominal/flank incision 10 to 12 inches long that also required partial removal of a rib. The large incision contributed to a long hospital stay and lengthy recovery. Today surgeons use a minimally invasive approach and can perform the surgery laparoscopically. In the laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon makes four or five tiny incisions to the abdomen. The surgeon uses a laparoscope, a long slender instrument that contains a camera, to view the internal surgical field.

In some instances, one of the small incisions may be extended two to three inches to assist with the removal of the kidney. Many patients experience a minimal amount of pain/discomfort after surgery. When cleared by your physician you will be able to get out of bed and walk, begin to start eating, and shortly thereafter be discharged home.