Nephrectomy facts for kids

Nephrectomy is a special kind of operation where doctors carefully remove a kidney from a person's body. This surgery is often done when someone has Kidney cancer or another serious kidney problem.

What is a Nephrectomy?

A nephrectomy is a medical procedure where a surgeon takes out one of your kidneys. Humans usually have two kidneys, which are important organs that clean your blood and make urine. When a kidney is diseased or damaged, removing it can help keep the rest of your body healthy.

Why Do Doctors Perform a Nephrectomy?

Doctors perform a nephrectomy for several reasons, mostly related to serious kidney problems. The most common reason is Kidney cancer, like Renal cell carcinoma. This is a type of cancer that starts in the kidney. Removing the cancerous kidney can stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.

Other reasons for a nephrectomy include:

• Severe kidney damage: Sometimes, a kidney can be badly damaged by an injury or a long-term disease. If it's not working anymore and is causing problems, it might need to be removed.
• Kidney infections: In very rare cases, a severe and ongoing kidney infection that doesn't get better with medicine might require surgery.
• Kidney donation: A healthy person might have one of their kidneys removed to donate it to someone else who needs a Kidney transplant. This is called a donor nephrectomy.

Types of Nephrectomy Operations

There are different ways doctors can perform a nephrectomy, depending on the patient's condition and the reason for the surgery.

Open Nephrectomy

In an open nephrectomy, the surgeon makes one larger cut (incision) in the side or front of the body. This allows them to directly see and remove the kidney. This method has been used for a long time and is still chosen for certain complex cases.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a less invasive way to remove a kidney. Instead of a large cut, the surgeon makes several small cuts. They use special tools and a tiny camera (called a laparoscope) to see inside the body and remove the kidney. This method often means less pain and a faster recovery for the patient.

Robotic-Assisted Nephrectomy

This is a modern type of laparoscopic surgery where the surgeon uses a special robot to help them. The surgeon controls the robot's arms, which hold the surgical tools, from a console. The robot's movements are very precise, which can be helpful for delicate parts of the surgery.

What Happens After a Nephrectomy?

After a nephrectomy, patients usually stay in the hospital for a few days. Doctors and nurses will monitor their recovery and manage any pain. Most people can live a normal, healthy life with just one kidney, as the remaining kidney can often do the work of both. Regular check-ups with a doctor are important to make sure the remaining kidney stays healthy.

See also

In Spanish: Nefrectomía para niños