Nephrectomy Open

A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove all or part of a kidney, depending on the underlying disease. There are two main types of nephrectomy: simple nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy, and each is done for different medical indications. A simple nephrectomy is commonly performed for a non-functioning kidney. Conditions such as long-standing obstruction, severe infection, repeated kidney stones, trauma, or pyonephrosis (a kidney filled with pus due to chronic infection) may lead to permanent loss of kidney function. In such cases, the diseased kidney becomes a source of pain, infection, or complications, and removal is advised to protect the patient’s overall health. During a simple nephrectomy, only the kidney is removed, while surrounding tissues and structures are preserved. This procedure may be done through open, laparoscopic, or minimally invasive approaches depending on the patient’s condition. A radical nephrectomy, on the other hand, is primarily performed for kidney cancer. This surgery involves removal of the entire kidney along with surrounding fatty tissue, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes or the adrenal gland, to ensure complete cancer clearance. Radical nephrectomy aims to prevent cancer spread and improve long-term survival. The choice of procedure depends on diagnosis, kidney function, tumor size, and overall patient health, and is decided after thorough clinical and radiological evaluation.