Definition: The surgical removal of a kidney, typically performed for kidney cancer (e.g., Renal Cell Carcinoma).
Procedure Steps:
1. Anesthesia: General anesthesia.
2. Access: Can be done via a large open incision (radical nephrectomy) or laparoscopically/robotically (minimally invasive).
3. Removal: The kidney, surrounding fat, the adrenal gland, and local lymph nodes may be removed.
4. Partial Nephrectomy: If possible, only the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue are removed, sparing the rest of the kidney.
Purpose / Benefits:
• Purpose: To cure or control kidney cancer.
• Benefits:
o Curative for localized kidney cancer.
o Minimally invasive techniques reduce recovery time and pain.