Name of the Procedure:

Laparoscopy, surgical; nephrectomy, including partial ureterectomy

Summary

This procedure involves the removal of a kidney and part of the ureter through small incisions using a laparoscope, a specialized surgical instrument with a camera.

Purpose

Medical Condition:

This procedure addresses kidney diseases such as cancer, severe kidney damage, or chronic infection.

Goals:

The main goal is to excise the diseased kidney and part of the ureter to prevent further health issues and improve the patient's quality of life.

Indications

• Kidney cancer or tumors
• Chronic kidney disease with severe damage
• Recurrent kidney infections
• Traumatic kidney injury
• Non-functional kidney due to congenital issues

Preparation

• Patients may need to fast for 8-12 hours before the procedure.
• Pre-operative blood tests and imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, MRI) to evaluate kidney function and anatomy.
• Discussing medications with a doctor, including stopping certain blood thinners.

Procedure Description

1. Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered.
2. Incisions: Small incisions are made in the abdomen.
3. Insertion of Laparoscope: A laparoscope is inserted through one of the incisions to provide a video feed of the internal organs.
4. Removal: Surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions to remove the kidney and part of the ureter.
5. Extraction: The excised organs are placed in a retrieval bag and removed from the body through one of the incisions.
6. Closure: Incisions are closed with sutures or surgical glue.

Tools and Equipment:

• Laparoscope
• Surgical instruments (e.g., graspers, scissors)
• Retrieval bag

Duration

The procedure typically takes 2-4 hours.

Setting

Performed in a hospital surgical suite or specialized surgical center.

Personnel

• Lead surgeon and assisting surgeons
• Nursing staff
• Anesthesiologist
• Surgical technician

Risks and Complications

Common Risks:

• Infection at incision sites
• Bleeding
• Pain at incision sites

Rare Risks:

• Injury to adjacent organs (e.g., intestines, liver)
• Deep vein thrombosis

Management:

• Antibiotics for infection
• Pain medications
• Monitoring and treatment of potential complications

Benefits

• Removal of diseased kidney tissue
• Prevention of disease progression
• Improvement in symptoms and quality of life

Realization of Benefits:

Patients may start noticing benefits within a few weeks post-surgery as they recover.

Recovery

• Hospital stay of 2-3 days post-surgery.
• Pain management with prescribed medications.
• Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks.
• Follow-up appointments for monitoring healing and kidney function.

Alternatives

• Open surgery nephrectomy
  • Pros: Suitable for larger tumors or complex cases.
  • Cons: Longer recovery time, more significant scarring.
• Partial nephrectomy (removing only part of the kidney)
  • Pros: Preserves kidney function.
  • Cons: Only feasible for certain types of kidney damage.

Patient Experience

During the Procedure:

The patient will be under general anesthesia and will not feel pain or be aware of the surgery.

After the Procedure:

• Pain and discomfort at the incision sites
• Possible need for a catheter for urine drainage initially
• Gradual return to normal activities over 4-6 weeks
• Pain management with medications and comfort measures like heat packs.

Patients should follow all post-operative instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments for the best recovery outcome.