Ask the Expert

Get answers to your kidney, liver and pancreas transplant questions by e-mailing Dr. Philosophe.

See Dr. Philosophe's Bio

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

Kidney removal

Definition:

Kidney removal, also called nephrectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove a kidney.

Alternative Names:

Nephrectomy

Description:

This surgery is done under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut in the abdomen or in the side of the abdomen (flank area). A rib may need to be removed to perform the procedure.

The ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) and the blood vessels are cut away from the kidney and the kidney is removed. The cut is then closed.

Kidney removal may be done as open surgery, which involves a large cut in the side of the abdomen. Some patients may have laparoscopic surgery, which is less invasive and involves three or four small cuts, usually no more than an inch each, in the abdominal and flank areas.

Indications:

Kidney removal may be recommended for:

Birth defects (congenital abnormalities)
Injury (trauma)
Infection
Hypertension
Tumor
Chronic bleeding

Kidney removal is also performed on someone who donates a kidney for a kidney transplant .

Kidneys

Kidney removal - series

Review Date: 8/15/2006
Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)