Nephrectomy and Partial Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
Removal of the entire kidney (nephrectomy) is performed for very large tumors or for tumors which are too close to major blood vessels to safely perform partial nephrectomy.
- Laparoscopic nephrectomy: A form of minimally-invasive surgery in which standard, open incision surgery is replaced with "keyhole" incision surgery. Through the small incisions, a surgeon can uses cameras and special instruments to complete the operation and remove the diseased kidney.
- Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy: The surgeon places his/her hand through the incision to assist in removal of the kidney.
The laparoscopic approach duplicates open surgery but shortens hospital stay and recovery, and decreases the pain a patient undergoes following the procedure.
The UW Health Urology team is committed to offering minimally-invasive surgery, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, whenever it is safe and appropriate.