(Radical) Nephrectomy
A radical nephrectomy is the surgical removal of the whole kidney. If the whole kidney does not need removing, you may be offered a partial nephrectomy where just the tumour is removed from the kidney, while leaving the kidney in place.
A radical nephrectomy is the surgical removal of the kidney. If performed for kidney cancer, the kidney is removed within its surrounding tissues, which may or may not include the adjacent adrenal gland. Nephrectomy is now usually performed via a ‘key-hole’ or laparoscopic approach, allowing for a partial nephrectomy where the tumour is removed to allow the kidney to remain in place.
Here at Urology Partners, we are fortunate to have expert surgeons who specialise in robotic assisted surgery for kidney tumours. Neil Barber explains the benefits of robotic surgery for this procedure.
The technical demands of partial nephrectomy have meant that few cases were suitable for a minimally invasive approach and it remains true in the UK that most of these operations are performed through a large wound at open surgery. The Da Vinci Robotic System has changed all that and meant that most tumours are amenable to be being removed this way, meaning quality cancer surgery associated with a hospital stay of 1 or 2 nights and a return to normal activity, including work, in 1 to 2 weeks.
Neil Barber was key in introducing the use of the Da Vinci robot and has performed the largest number of robotic assisted kidney procedures in the UK, including partial nephrectomy.