Robotic Nephrectomy: Removing a Kidney with Robotic Surgery

Radical or partial nephrectomy may be an option if you have been diagnosed with kidney cancer or kidney tumors. This type of kidney cancer surgery can be performed with minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery. The surgery could either remove part of the kidney or the entire kidney, depending on how large the cancer is, using an advanced robotic surgery system.

If you have kidney cancer, tumors, or any other chronic kidney disease and are looking for an expert urological surgeon specializing in robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, call Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today to learn about your surgical options. We have multiple offices throughout Georgia for your convenience.

What is Robotic Nephrectomy?

Robotic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove a kidney or a portion of it with the assistance of robotic technology. This advanced technique is primarily used to treat conditions such as kidney cancer, non-functional kidneys, severe kidney damage, or chronic kidney infections.

• Partial Nephrectomy: Only the diseased part of the kidney is removed, preserving as much of the healthy kidney tissue as possible.
• Radical Nephrectomy: The entire kidney, along with the surrounding fat, adrenal gland, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes, is removed.

Before the Kidney Removal

Before the surgery for kidney cancer, our surgeon may ask you to stop taking some medications. Blood thinners, such as warfarin, aspirin, or Plavix, will need to be stopped 5 to 7 days before surgery. You will also need to tell your surgeon if you are taking any anti-inflammatory medications or vitamin supplements, as these can increase bleeding.

Tobacco can limit the body’s ability to heal itself. So stop smoking in the week leading up to the surgery.

You shouldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight before the surgery. This will help prevent nausea that some patients experience due to anesthesia. If you take blood pressure medicine, your surgeon may ask you to take it with just a few sips of water.

During the Procedure

Patients are given general anesthesia so they can be unconscious for the procedure. Our surgeon will make small keyhole incisions in the abdomen to allow the surgical instruments and the laparoscopic camera to be inserted.

Then, the surgeon will inflate the abdomen cavity with carbon dioxide to create space to access the cancerous kidney tissue. The surgeon will then stop the blood supply to the kidney with the tumor or cancer. This allows the kidney tumor or cancer to be removed, or the entire kidney and the adrenal gland.

Finally, the other part of the kidney is sewn back together, the instruments are removed, and the abdomen is deflated.

How Long Does Robotic Kidney Surgery Take?

Both robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and radial nephrectomy require that patients undergo general anesthesia. The exact operating time will vary from one individual to another. However, it will usually take an average of 3-4 hours.

What Can I Expect After a Robotic Partial Nephrectomy?

Once the laparoscopic nephrectomy has been completed, you will remain in the hospital for a few days to be monitored and treated for postoperative pain. Minimally invasive surgery is far less traumatic than traditional open surgery; therefore, your hospital stay and pain will be far less. However, there still will be some pain that needs to be managed.

Shortly after your surgery, you will be encouraged to walk a little to encourage blood flow, healing, and normal function. It also helps prevent pneumonia and other complications.

To begin with, you will be limited to a liquid diet immediately after surgery. You’ll start to eat solid food as you heal and recover.

You will be able to function normally on the remaining kidney as long as it is healthy. Your doctor will likely encourage you to stick to a routine of a healthy diet,  physical activity, and regular checkups to help preserve kidney function.

The Benefits of Robotic Nephrectomy

There are fewer complications with robotic-assisted surgery compared to traditional open surgery. Most patients will experience the following benefits with the robotic procedure:

• Less pain after surgery
• Less blood loss
• Reduced need for blood transfusion
• Reduced hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Less scarring

Contact Our Surgical Experts Today!

If you have kidney cancer, tumors, or any other chronic kidney disease and are looking for a board-certified urological surgeon specializing in robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, call Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today to learn about your surgical options. 

Our expert surgeons are fully trained in robotic surgery using the computerized da Vinci Surgical System. We have multiple offices throughout Georgia. Contact us today!