Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal Surgery) in India

Nephrectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of a kidney, most commonly performed to treat kidney cancer, a severely damaged or non-functioning kidney due to disease, infection or injury, or, in the case of living kidney donation, to remove a healthy kidney for transplant into another person.

Types of nephrectomy

Radical nephrectomy removes the entire kidney, and often the surrounding fatty tissue, sometimes along with the adrenal gland or nearby lymph nodes, and is the most common approach for larger kidney tumours. Partial nephrectomy removes only the diseased or cancerous portion of the kidney, preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible, and is generally preferred for smaller tumours where it can be done safely. Simple nephrectomy removes the whole kidney without the wider surrounding tissue, typically used for non-cancerous conditions such as a severely damaged or infected kidney.

Open, laparoscopic, or robotic approach

Nephrectomy can be performed as open surgery through a single larger incision, or through minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic-assisted technique using a few small incisions and a camera. Where suitable, minimally invasive approaches generally mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to normal activity, though the choice depends on the size, location and complexity of the condition being treated.

Living with one kidney

Most people can live a full, healthy life with one working kidney, or a portion of one, as the remaining kidney tissue generally adapts to handle the body's filtering needs. This is the same principle that makes living kidney donation possible. Your urologist will discuss your specific kidney function and any precautions relevant to your situation before and after surgery.

When nephrectomy is used for kidney cancer

For kidney cancer, the choice between partial and radical nephrectomy, and between open, laparoscopic or robotic approach, depends on the tumour's size, location and how much it may have spread, confirmed through detailed imaging. Removing the tumour with a clear surgical margin is the central goal, alongside preserving as much healthy kidney function as safely possible.