In this article, we’ll answer the question of ‘what is a partial nephrectomy?’ and explain the procedure. What is a partial nephrectomy? So, what is a partial nephrectomy?
If you have been diagnosed with either a cancerous or benign (non-cancerous) tumour on the kidney, your urologist may have recommended that you have a partial nephrectomy. In this article, we’ll answer the question of ‘what is a partial nephrectomy?’ and explain the procedure.
What is a partial nephrectomy?
So, what is a partial nephrectomy? It is a surgical procedure during which the urological surgeon removes a cancerous or benign tumour from the kidney. This leaves the healthy kidney tissue in place, and so sometimes this procedure is also referred to as a kidney-sparing procedure.
Sometimes a partial nephrectomy may be performed to treat other kidney conditions as well, such as removing the damaged part of a kidney following trauma or injury.
Partial nephrectomy is considered a minimally-invasive procedure. At Melbourne urology Centre, our urological surgeons usually perform this procedure with the assistance of the Da Vinci Surgical robot, through keyhole incisions.
Partial nephrectomy allows for the preservation of the healthy part of the kidney tissue, so patients have a lower risk of kidney failure in the longer term.
What is a partial nephrectomy and when is it performed?
A partial nephrectomy is most commonly performed to remove a tumour from the kidney. This type of procedure is generally most appropriate for tumours that are 4cm or less in diameter, however, on occasion larger tumours of 5-7cm can be removed from the kidney via this method, depending upon their position on the kidney.
In patients with larger kidney tumours, undergoing a partial nephrectomy may not be a feasible or safe option. In these cases a complete (radical) nephrectomy is usually indicated.
Partial nephrectomy might also be performed in cases where a patient has scarred, damaged, or otherwise non-functioning kidney tissue, perhaps due to illness or traumatic injury.
What is a partial nephrectomy and how is it performed?
At Melbourne Urology Centre, our urological surgeons use the da Vinci robotic surgical system to perform most partial nephrectomy procedures.
Our urologists, Dr Tony de Sousa and Dr Shekib Shahbaz, are fully trained and highly experienced in performing robotic-assisted surgeries. The robotic device is under the control of the surgeon at all times. The use of the da Vinci robot offers numerous benefits to both the patient and the surgeon.
Partial nephrectomy is performed under general anaesthetic. The operating time varies from case to case, but generally the procedure takes 3-4 hours to complete.
What is a robotic partial nephrectomy and what happens during the procedure?
During a partial nephrectomy, keyhole incisions are made in the patient’s abdomen. The robotic instruments and specialised camera are inserted through these incisions.
Under the surgeon’s control, the robotic instruments are used to carefully and precisely remove the kidney tumour or damaged kidney tissue, preserving the normal kidney tissue. When the tumour has been removed, the kidney is meticulously repaired and the skin incisions are closed using plastic surgery techniques, for minimal scarring.
What is a robotic partial nephrectomy and what are the advantages of this type of procedure?
Performing the partial nephrectomy robotically offers numerous benefits both to the patient and to the surgeon.
The da Vinci robotic surgical system offers the surgeon:
- High definition 3D vision inside the patient’s body
- A greater range of motion and dexterity than the human hand, allowing for very precise movements
- Overall greatly enhanced vision and precise control of the surgical instruments.
The da Vinci robotic surgical system offers the patient:
- Less trauma: incisions are small and inconspicuous
- Shorter blood cut-off (ischaemia) time: the kidney’s blood supply is restricted for less time with robotic partial nephrectomy, compared with conventional laparoscopy, which reduces the risk of long-term kidney damage
- Less blood loss: there is less blood loss associated with robotic partial nephrectomy compared with traditional surgery, due to smaller incisions and greater precision
- Faster recovery time: patients who have robotic-assisted surgery generally have a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery compared with those who undergo conventional surgical methods.
What is a robotic partial nephrectomy and what can patients expect following the procedure?
Most patients will need to stay in hospital for 2-3 nights following their procedure. There will be some mild pain or discomfort, but this is generally well managed with medications. Patients are encouraged to sit out of bed and move around, as well as to perform deep breathing exercises in order to help reduce the risk of pneumonia or blood clots in the legs or lungs (DVT).
Most patients find that they are comfortable enough to return to their normal activities within 2-3 following having a partial nephrectomy. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for 6 weeks following the procedure to minimize the chances of bleeding.
Your surgeon will provide you with comprehensive post-operative instructions following your surgery.