Open Radical Nephrectomy
A robotic assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that removes your entire kidney in the presence of kidney disease. Our urologists use da Vinci technology, which allows for a minimally invasive approach to operate.
Condition it treats:
Kidney cancer or disease
What happens during the procedure:
This surgery is considered an inpatient procedure, meaning you will need to stay several nights. Typically, the patient comes to the hospital the morning of the surgery. The patient is admitted to the hospital through the surgery department. The patient is brought into the surgical suite. Through a gentle induction of anesthesia, the patient is put to sleep. The patient is positioned on a special surgical bed to allow the best access to the abdomen. For robotic assisted nephrectomy, the patient lies on their side, using special positioning pillows. The urologist makes several small strategically placed incisions into the side of the abdomen to allow special ports to be placed. The da Vinci system features special instruments that are used through the ports. Da Vinci also has a magnified vision system that gives the surgeon a 3D view inside the body. After the instruments are in place the doctor carefully dissects to the kidney. The kidney and the surrounding anatomy are identified. After the ureter and blood vessels are resected the kidney is removed. The kidney is removed from the abdomen by extending the size of one of the port incisions. When the surgical area is stable, the incision is closed.
When surgery is complete, the patient is transferred to the recovery room area. The patient is awake and comfortable. They are admitted to an inpatient room. The patient can expect to stay in the hospital for approximately 3-5 days.
