nefrectomie

Nefrectomie, or nephrectomy, is the surgical removal of all or part of a kidney. It is performed for kidney cancer, donation, severe kidney trauma, obstruction with nonfunctional tissue, or other kidney diseases. There are two main forms: radical nephrectomy, which removes the entire kidney along with perinephric fat and often the adrenal gland, and partial nephrectomy, also called nephron-sparing surgery, which removes only diseased or cancerous tissue while preserving most healthy kidney tissue. In living donation, a nephrectomy is performed to obtain a donor kidney.

Preoperative evaluation includes imaging to determine tumor size and location and assessment of overall kidney function and comorbidities. The choice of surgical approach—open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted—depends on the indication, anatomy, and surgeon experience. Partial nephrectomy is preferred when preserving renal function is important, especially in patients with a single kidney or reduced baseline function.

Open nephrectomy uses a larger incision, while laparoscopic or robotic techniques use small ports and typically offer shorter recovery. All forms require anesthesia, careful intraoperative management, and control of bleeding. The operation time and hospital stay vary with the procedure and patient factors.

Recovery generally includes several days in hospital and a several-week convalescence. Remaining kidney function often adapts to compensate. Complications can include bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs, urine leakage, or impaired kidney function. In donors, the remaining kidney usually maintains adequate function with routine follow-up.