Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an effective way to remove a diseased or cancerous kidney. Laparosopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive technique, so when compared to conventional open surgery, it can mean significantly less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work and daily activities, a more favorable cosmetic result and outcomes identical to that of open surgery.
Laparoscopic nephrectomy is performed under general anesthesia. The typical length of the operation is three to four hours. The surgery is performed through three small (one cm) incisions made in the abdomen. A telescope and small instruments are inserted into the abdomen through these keyhole incisions, which allow the surgeon to completely free and dissect the kidney without having to place his or her hands into the abdomen. The kidney is then placed within a plastic sack and removed intact through an extension of one of the existing incision sites.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is used to remove a small renal tumor, while preserving the remainder of the kidney. This is a minimally invasive technique, which provides patients with less discomfort and equivalent results compared to the traditional open surgery.
When compared to the conventional open surgical technique, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has resulted in significantly less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, earlier return to work and daily activities, a more favorable cosmetic result and outcomes that appear to be identical to that of open surgery. Partial nephrectomy has become a standard procedure for select patients with renal cell carcinoma (especially small (less than four cm) peripherally located tumors). The results of partial nephrectomy are less satisfactory in patients with larger renal cell carcinomas, leaving radical nephrectomy (removing the entire kidney) as the standard approach Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is performed under general anesthesia. The typical length of the operation is three to four hours. The surgery is performed through four small (one cm) incisions made in the abdomen. A telescope and small instruments are inserted into the abdomen through these keyhole incisions, which allow the surgeon to completely free and dissect the tumor without having to place his or her hands into the abdomen. The defect in the kidney is then sewn closed with sutures and a special sealant glue. The tumor is then placed within a plastic sack and removed intact through an extension of one of the existing incision sites.