Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal)
Surgical excision of a diseased or damaged kidney
Understanding Your Kidney Removal Operation
If you require a nephrectomy, or kidney removal, you can get the specialized care you need at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. Our urologists have expertise in traditional open and minimally invasive urologic surgery. Together, they decide which procedure is right for you. Then, they work to help you get the best results.
What is a Nephrectomy?
Doctors may recommend nephrectomy if you have ongoing kidney infections, serious kidney damage, or an obstruction or mass that’s suspicious for kidney cancer. Usually, you can live well with one functioning kidney. Our urology specialists are here to support you throughout your treatment and recovery.
There are two types of nephrectomy:
- Partial nephrectomy involves removing only the diseased portion of your kidney.
- Radical nephrectomy involves removing your entire kidney.
Our surgeons may perform these procedures in one of two main ways: In an open procedure, your surgeon operates through one large incision. The incision allows the surgeon to see directly inside your body. In a minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon operates through several tiny "keyhole" incisions. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope (a lighted tool with a camera) to make things easier to see and magnify their view. Then, they pass instruments through other incisions to remove your kidney.
Nephroureterectomy for Cancer Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with a mass or kidney tumor within the lining of your kidney and/or ureter, you may need a nephroureterectomy. This surgery involves removing your kidney, ureter (the tube that carries urine from your kidney to your bladder) and a small piece of your bladder where your ureter and bladder connect. Specialists in kidney cancer surgery will guide your operation. It is just part of the compassionate cancer care available at BIDMC.
More About Nephrectomy
Not everyone is a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery. But if you can have the procedure, it offers several advantages over open surgery. For your surgeon, minimally invasive procedures offer a better view of the surgical field. For you, the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure compared to open surgery include:
- Better cosmetic results, due to smaller scars
- Less blood loss
- Less pain
- Quicker recovery
- Shorter hospital stay
Robotic-assisted surgery for nephroureterectomy allows for extreme precision. It offers many of the same benefits as other minimally invasive procedures.
No matter which type of surgery you have, you can feel confident receiving your care at BIDMC.
After having a kidney removed, you will have some pain. Working with our pain management specialists, we give you an IV pump that you control. It provides pain medicine as you need it. But the day after your surgery, you transition to pain pills.
At first, you’ll have a urinary catheter to drain your urine. It stays in place for about one day after surgery. The day after surgery, you also begin a clear liquid diet. By the second day, you can return to eating normally. Typically, you spend about two days in the hospital before going home.
Recovery and Follow-Up
We provide you with pain pills for several days when you return home. But within a few days, over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen will likely control your discomfort. If you had a minimally invasive procedure, you can expect to return to full activity within three to four weeks. Your recovery time will be about eight to 12 weeks if you have open surgery. You return for a follow-up visit with your surgeon one month after your operation. If you live outside of the Boston area, we can easily do this appointment over the phone.
