Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) Options

Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) through WorldMed Assist is within your financial means. We work with exceptional hospitals inside and outside the US. The international hospitals collaborate with leading US hospitals, including John Hopkins and Harvard Medical, to provide innovative medical care. Our registered nurses make all arrangements necessary for the success of your procedure. Our services carry the promise of quality medical care with individual attention to your needs.

Most importantly, we provide you with a personal touch from start until well after your return home.

Options for quality Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) include:

Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Mexico

• Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) in the U.S.
• Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) in Mexico
• Kidney Removal Surgery
  (Nephrectomy) in India
• Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy) in Turkey

We also provide information on costs:

• Cost of Kidney Removal Surgery (Nephrectomy)

What is Nephrectomy-Kidney Removal?

Kidneys, located at the rear of the abdomen, are organs that filter toxins from the blood and produce urine. Kidneys are between 4 and 5 inches in length. A nephrectomy is surgery to remove a portion of or the entire kidney.

There are four forms of nephrectomy.
A partial nephrectomy removes a portion of the kidney; a simple nephrectomy takes out the entire kidney; a bilateral nephrectomy removes both kidneys; and, a radical nephrectomy extracts the adjacent adrenal gland and lymph nodes along with the kidney.

A nephrectomy-kidney removal may be necessitated by kidney cancer, trauma, birth defects, uncontrollable high blood pressure, kidney stone damage or because the patient is donating a kidney.

Preparation for Nephrectomy-Kidney Removal Surgery

Prior to your surgery, your doctor will take blood samples and perform any physical examinations deemed necessary to ensure you are a suitable candidate for a nephrectomy-kidney removal.

If there is a possibility you might be pregnant, notify your doctor.

You will be required to cease all blood-thinning medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, approximately one week prior to surgery.

You should inform your doctor of all medications, herbs and supplements you are currently taking, as some of these may have an impact on the surgery or your recovery. Your doctor will advise which medications you can continue to take. If possible, quit smoking. Smoking delays the healing process.

Nephrectomy-Kidney Removal Surgery

A nephrectomy is carried out under general anesthetic and the surgery typically lasts 3 hours. One of three surgical methods is used for a nephrectomy-kidney removal:

Simple Nephrectomy: An incision is made on the flank following the angle of the lower ribs. The incision may be up to 12 inches in length and extend towards the spine and abdomen. Muscle, fat and organs are moved aside to expose the kidney. The surgeon disconnects the kidney from blood vessels and the ureter tube and removes part or all of the kidney. In some instances, a rib may have to be removed to access the kidney. The surgeon then sutures the incision, internally and externally.

Radical Nephrectomy: This procedure is comparable to a simple nephrectomy, with the exceptions that the incision is made on the abdomen and may be longer than that of the simple nephrectomy and the adrenal gland and lymph nodes are removed at the same time as the kidney.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A laparoscopic nephrectomy is performed with a laparoscope with a camera attached to guide surgical instruments. Three or four small incisions in the abdomen and side are created to perform this surgery, with one of the incisions larger than the others to remove the kidney. The kidney is removed via a sling after the surgeon has detached the ureter and blood vessels. The incisions are then sutured. Laparoscopic nephrectomy surgery lasts longer than a conventional nephrectomy.

The technique chosen depends on each patient’s circumstances and is individually assessed.

Nephrectomy-Kidney Removal Recovery

A nephrectomy is major surgery and the recovery period is extended. Recovery can be painful, however, pain medications will be provided to assist with the pain. The pain will gradually decrease over time. Hospital staff will help you sit up and walk slowly as soon as possible. This benefits pain control and healing. You will likely have a drain in your incision and a catheter for the first days. Bruising is normal. Food may be withheld until liquids are introduced in approximately 72 hours. You can expect a hospital stay of up to one week, depending on the type of nephrectomy you underwent. For the next 6 weeks, you may not lift objects weighing over 10 pounds or engage in strenuous activity. Your wound should not be submersed in water, although showering is permissible. About two months post-surgery, your doctor will inform you if you can return to your normal activities. As with all surgical and medical treatments, there is a possibility of complications. Consult your doctor to ensure you fully understand the inherent risks.