What Are The Side Effects Of A Partial Nephrectomy
What are some of the complications and risks of having an open partial nephrectomy?
- Bleeding that may require a blood transfusion.
- Urinary leakage which almost always resolved with delayed healing.
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
- Kidney failure, depending on the functioning of the remaining partial and whole kidney.
Renal Masses Kidney Cancer & Kidney Surgery
Every year, 28,000 Americans learn they have kidney cancer. A mass on the kidney may be detected with an ultrasound or CT scan. Additional testing, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, can help determine if the mass is cancerous. Even with proper imaging, approximately 20% of solid renal masses will ultimately prove to be benign. Some people with kidney cancer may notice the presence of blood in their urine, back pain or an abdominal mass or hard lump or there may be no outward symptoms at all.
Kidney cancer is most common in men over age 40. Unfortunately, the disease often goes undiagnosed until it has spread. Surgical removal of the entire kidney may be required. Now there is a technique for removing the diseased kidney that is less invasive than traditional surgery.
The procedure is called a laparoscopic nephrectomy.
What is a laparoscopic nephrectomy?A laparoscopic nephrectomy is a procedure for removing diseased kidneys in place of conventional surgery. It is a very delicate and precision-oriented procedure, which should be performed only by highly experienced surgeons. Laparoscopic surgery is sometimes called “keyhole” surgery because it involves relatively small incisions. The surgeon uses an endoscope and small “ports” through which miniature instruments are passed. The scope enables the surgeon to watch what he or she is doing on video monitors.
Postoperative Information
Problems You Should Report To Us:
Kidney Stone Surgery Recovery
Our urology experts will be there for you throughout your recovery to monitor your progress and ensure you are in good health.
We may prescribe medication like tamsulosin to relax and open your ureter for a period after surgery. Tamsulosin can make it easier for stones or stone fragments to pass. We may also have you use a strainer to collect stone pieces if they pass in your urine so we can test them.
If we placed a temporary stent in your ureter during surgery, we will remove it during an office visit two to 10 days after your procedure.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider
After your surgery your remaining kidney will need to be tested every year. Tests will include a urine test and blood pressure check. If protein is in the urine, that may mean that theres something wrong with your remaining kidney. Every few years youll have to test your kidney functions, measuring the creatinine and glomerular filtration rate .
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/10/2020.
References
Fasting And Loss Of Electrolytes And Minerals
Before surgery, patients are often advised to fast to avoid problems during anesthesia and surgery. Fasting is often extended into the short postoperative period. This can result in a reduction or loss of electrolytes and minerals that are usually found in foods. Although fluids may be given during the surgery, they mainly supply fluid volume and do not contain all of the minerals and electrolytes that may be lost. For example, loss of sodium can cause drowsiness and muscle weakness. Loss of potassium can cause irregular heartbeats that can cause fatigue and weakness.
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Extreme Fatigue After Surgery Heres How To Fix It
Did you ever wonder why you feel so tired and lethargic after surgery? A common misconception is that this is a result of being anesthetized. Surely being artificially put to sleep drains your system and causes tiredness? Surprisingly no extreme fatigue after surgery is the result of other factors including:
Sleep deficit and pre-surgery nerves Blood loss during the procedure Medication administered during surgery Loss of minerals and nutrients during the procedure
As you can see, there is a myriad of reasons. It is therefore important to fix this problem and ensure that you have a quick recovery, with minimal fatigue. In the below sections we look at different ways of combating this problem:
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Which Kidney Is More Important
The kidneys are a pair of organs found along the posterior muscular wall of the abdominal cavity. The left kidney is located slightly more superior than the right kidney due to the larger size of the liver on the right side of the body.
How Is A Radical Nephrectomy Done
Radical nephrectomies can by open or laparoscopic surgery. In an open surgery, there is one incision or opening. Laparoscopic surgeries are done with several smaller incisions. The surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope, which has a tiny camera on the end, to do the surgery. When the surgeon is ready to take out the kidney, he or she will make one of the cuts bigger.
Laparoscopic procedures, which also are called minimally invasive surgeries, are now more common than open procedures. However, for larger tumors, for more complex cases, or whenever clearing out all the lymph nodes is required, an open procedure is often still the best approach.
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Hiccups After Surgery: Why And What To Do
Hiccups can sometimes be amusing especially in children because they’re totally involuntary and they produce a strange sound. Hiccups are caused when the diaphragm starts contracting involuntarily. The diaphragm is the layer of muscle found at the bottom of the lungs. It separates the abdominal region of the body from the thoracic cavity. This muscle plays an invaluable role in the mechanism of breathing. As it contracts, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases so that the lungs can inflate with air.
What Should You Not Eat With One Kidney
If you have a single kidney because you had a transplant or if you have kidney disease, you may need to limit the amount of sodium, phosphorous, and protein in your diet. This is because your kidney cant remove them from your blood very well, so they build up. You may also have to limit the amount of fluids you drink.
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What Happens Before A Radical Nephrectomy
In the days before your operation, blood samples will be taken to tell your blood type in case you need a transfusion. Your healthcare provider might ask you to stop taking certain medications such as blood thinners. You will recover more quickly and are less likely to have a complication after surgery if you dont smoke. You will be asked to not eat or drink after midnight the night before the surgery. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions about any of your medicines that you should take the day of the surgery.
Move And Exercise If You Suffer From Extreme Fatigue
People can often remain in bed for days or even weeks after surgery. This can lead to a lack of energy and fatigue. It is vital that you begin moving quickly and trying to exercise. Basic movements and exercise help rebuild muscle strength and improve your blood circulation. Furthermore, they help to improve flexibility and maintain your basic level of fitness.
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What Do The Kidneys Do
You have two kidneys, one on each side of your spine, in the back of your abdomen. Although you are born with two kidneys, you can live with only one, as long as it is functioning. Your kidneys cleanse your blood of toxins and change the waste into urine. They also keep your electrolytes and water content constant and secrete some essential hormones.
Days Before Your Surgery
Follow your healthcare providers instructions for taking aspirin
If you take aspirin or a medication that contains aspirin, you may need to change your dose or stop taking it 7 days before your surgery. Aspirin can cause bleeding.
Follow your healthcare providers instructions. Dont stop taking aspirin unless they tell you to. For more information, read the resource Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs , or Vitamin E.
Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements
Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements 7 days before your surgery. These things can cause bleeding. For more information, read the resource Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment.
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Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy
We will perform ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy while you are under general anesthesia . Over the course of about one hour, we will:
After a brief observation period, you will be able to go home that same day.
*Around five percent of the time, the ureter is too narrow for the ureteroscope. If this happens to you, we will leave a stent in place to dilate your ureter. We will reschedule your procedure for two to three weeks later.
Limit Your Exposure To Germs
Don’t have a large number of houseguests during the first 6-8 weeks after surgery. Ask family members and friends who may have colds or infections to stay away. Keep preschool children at arm’s length, especially if they are in daycare where other children may be sick or infected. Avoid eating from salad bars as they can harbor bacteria.
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How To Urinate After Surgery
This article was co-authored by Robert Dhir, MD. Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhirs expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate , kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and mens health . His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 111,729 times.
Recovery Instructions After Kidney Removal
Activity
- Take rest whenever you feel tired. Getting plenty of sleep may speed your recovery.
- Go to walk every day. Increase the distance you walk daily. Walking increases circulation of blood and prevents constipation and pneumonia.
- Dont do strenuous activities and exercises in which your belly muscles are used such as jogging, cycling, aerobic exercises or weight lifting until your physician recommends you to do them.
- For a period of at least four weeks, dont lift anything that causes straining of muscles such as lifting a child, milk containers, heavy bags of groceries, cat litter, vacuum cleaner or heavy backpack or briefcase etc.
- Place a pillow on the incisions while you take deep breaths or coughs to support your stomach and decrease pain.
- What is the recovery time for kidney removal? Discuss with your physician about the time you can resume driving.
- You may have to take four to six weeks off from your work.
- You may take showers however, if a drainage tube is put near the incisions avoid taking bath for the initial two weeks. Follow the instructions of your doctor to empty and take care of the drainage tube.
- Ask your physician when you can resume having sex.
Diet
Medicines
Incision Care
Follow-Up Care Forms a Vital Part of Treatment
Make sure to be regular with all appointment. Call your physician or nurse line in case of any problems. You can also keep a list of medications you take and know the results of your tests.
Monitor Your Kidney Function
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How To Prepare For Kidney Stone Surgery
When we meet with you, we will give you specific instructions to prepare for your surgery. They may include the following.
- Stop smoking, if you smoke, well in advance of surgery.
- Stop taking certain medications that can make it hard for your blood to clot, such as blood thinners like Coumadin, Plavix, Xarellto, and the like.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your surgery.
- Make sure you have someone to drive you home after your procedure.
We may also place a stent in your ureter up to a few weeks prior to your surgery. This stent, which is completely internal, allows your ureter to dilate or enlarge and makes stone removal easier. Stents may also relieve acute pain from a stone, enable any infection to drain, and allow antibiotic treatment before surgery.
About Your Nephrectomy Or Adrenalectomy
The type of surgery youll have depends on the size and location of the cancer. Your surgeon will talk with you about the option thats right for you.
- A partial nephrectomy is the removal of the part of the kidney that has the cancer and the tissue surrounding it. If needed, the lymph nodes will also be removed. Some of your kidney will remain in your body.
- A radical nephrectomy is the removal of the entire kidney and the tissue that surrounds it. If needed, the lymph nodes and the adrenal gland will also be removed.
- A nephroureterectomy is the removal of the entire kidney, surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, the adrenal gland if necessary, all or part of the ureter, and part of the bladder
- An adrenalectomy is the removal of your adrenal glands.
Surgery can be done using different techniques. Your surgeon will talk with you about which options are right for you.
Laparoscopic or robotic surgery
If you have this kind of surgery, your surgeon will make 3 to 5 small incisions . Using small tools and a camera, theyll remove all or part of your kidney or adrenal gland, depending on the cancer.
Open kidney surgery
If you have this kind of surgery, your surgeon will make one incision, usually about 5 inches long. Theyll remove all or part of your kidney or adrenal gland, depending on the cancer.
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What To Do If You Can’t Urinate After Surgery
The complete inability to urinatecalled urinary retentionis always a medical emergency. In people who have had surgery, the type of procedure, anesthesia used, and post-operative medications can all contribute to urinary retention. In most cases, it usually gets better in a few weeks.
If you can’t pee at all, it is important to seek treatment right away to avoid damage to your bladder and kidneys. Similarly, talk to your healthcare provider if you are able to pee but feel like you still have urine in your bladder afterward.
If the bladder is left full, urine can back up into the kidneys. This can lead to additional pressure in the kidney, which can cause damage. In extreme cases, the bladder can actually rupture when it gets too full.
The article outlines what can cause an inability to urinate after surgery, symptoms of urinary retention, and how the condition can be treated.
How Will I Pay For A Transplant
Medicare covers about 80% of the costs associated with an evaluation, transplant operation, follow-up care, and anti-rejection medicines. Private insurers and state programs may cover some costs as well. However, your post-transplant expenses may only be covered for a limited number of years. Its important to discuss coverage with your social worker, who can answer your questions or direct you to others who can help.
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What Happens After A Radical Nephrectomy
When youre out of surgery, your healthcare team will closely monitor your blood pressure and other body functions. You will be treated with pain medication. Shortly after surgery you will be asked to get out of bed and walk. This promotes healing and normal physical functions and also reduces the chance of some complications, including pneumonia. You might, for a short time, have a catheter that will drain urine from your bladder.