Laparoscopic Nephrectomy / Nephroureterectomy

What is a nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy?

If you have kidney cancer, one of the most common treatments is kidney surgery. When part of the kidney is removed, it is called a partial nephrectomy. If there's not enough healthy tissue in your kidney for it to work properly, you may need to have the entire kidney removed (nephrectomy).

Depending on the type of kidney cancer and how much the cancer has spread, your doctor may also recommend removing the ureter that connects the kidney to your bladder. This is called a nephroureterectomy.

What to expect from a nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy

Using advances in surgical technology, our surgeons can often do nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy surgeries laparoscopically (minimally invasively). This means that instead of performing surgery through one large, open incision, they can make a few small, keyhole-sized incisions in your abdomen and side.

Through these incisions, your surgeon uses a tiny camera and several small surgical tools to remove your kidney and/or ureter. The surgeon carefully detaches the kidney and uses tools to place a special bag around it. One of the small incisions is then expanded just enough to remove the kidney and/or ureter. 

Since it is minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery usually has fewer complications and a faster recovery than traditional surgery. Talk to your doctor to see if a laparoscopic nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy is right for you.