Nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a kidney. It may be performed to treat kidney cancer, remove a severely damaged or diseased kidney, or retrieve a healthy kidney for transplantation (donor nephrectomy).
There are two main types of nephrectomy:
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Complete (radical) nephrectomy: The entire kidney is removed.
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Partial nephrectomy: Only the diseased or damaged portion of the kidney is removed, leaving healthy tissue intact.
Surgical approaches to nephrectomy include:
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Open nephrectomy: Performed through a single, large incision in the abdomen or side.
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Laparoscopic nephrectomy: Involves several small incisions in the abdomen, using a camera and specialized instruments for visualization and removal.
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Robot-assisted nephrectomy: A minimally invasive technique in which robotic instruments are used to operate through tiny incisions with greater precision and control.
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