Radical nephrectomy was a treatment performed for the localized renal cell carcinoma. It may involves the removing of the whole kidney, along with a section of the tube which was leading to the bladder (ureter), the gland which sits at the top the kidney (adrenal gland), & the fatty tissue around the kidney.
Radical nephrectomy can be done by a single large cut or incision on the abdomen or side (open radical nephrectomy) or by a series of small cuts or incisions on the abdomen (laparoscopic radical nephrectomy).
OPEN RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY:
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Surgeon will perform a cut approximately 8 to 12 inches long. This cut can be on the front of the abdomen, just below the ribs. It can also be done by side.
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Muscle, fat, and tissue were cut & removed. The tube which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter) & blood vessels were cut away from the kidney. The kidney was then removed.
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Doctors may also take out the surrounding fat, & occasionally the adrenal gland & some lymph nodes.
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The cut was then closed with the help of stitches or staples.
LAPROSCOPIC RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY:
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) was a minimally invasive choice of the treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
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Doctors will make 3 or 4 small cuts or incisions, generally not more than 1-inch each, on the abdomen & side. The doctor will use a tiny probes & a camera to do the operation.
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Towards the end of the treatment, your doctor will perform one of the larger cuts (around 4 inches) to take the kidney out.
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The doctor will then cut the ureter, place a bag surrounding the kidney, & pull it by the larger cut.
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This operation will take longer compared to an open kidney removal. Even though, most of the people may recover faster & feel less pain after this surgery when compared to the pain & recovery time for open surgery.
