What is a Nephrectomy?
A nephrectomy is an operation to remove part or all of a kidney. It is most commonly performed to treat kidney cancer or a suspicious kidney tumour, although removal of a kidney may also be considered when it has been severely damaged or is no longer functioning properly.
There are two main types of nephrectomy. A partial nephrectomy removes the tumour or affected area while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. A radical nephrectomy involves removing the whole kidney and, depending on the condition being treated, may include surrounding tissue.
The type of surgery recommended will depend on several factors, including the size and position of a kidney tumour, how much of the kidney is affected, the function of both kidneys and your general health. Where clinically appropriate, preserving healthy kidney tissue through a partial nephrectomy can help maintain kidney function.
Kidney surgery may be performed through open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques. For suitable patients, a robotic nephrectomy allows the surgeon to operate through small incisions using specialised instruments and a high-definition camera.
Robotic Kidney Surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, our consultant urological surgeons provide robotic surgery on the kidney for patients who require partial or complete kidney removal. Your consultant will review your scans, kidney function and overall health before recommending the most appropriate surgical approach.
For smaller or suitably positioned kidney tumours, a robotic partial nephrectomy may enable your surgeon to remove the tumour while retaining the unaffected part of the kidney. When preserving the kidney is not appropriate, a robotic radical nephrectomy may be recommended to remove the kidney completely.
Both procedures can be carried out through small abdominal incisions using robotic-assisted keyhole surgery. Your consultant will discuss what your operation involves, the expected recovery and the specific benefits and risks in your individual case.
Consultants offering robotic nephrectomy in London
Why choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for your robotic kidney surgery?
Choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for specialist urological care, advanced robotic technology and personalised kidney surgery in St John’s Wood, London.
- Specialist urological surgeons: Your procedure is performed by a consultant with expertise in urological surgery, supported by an experienced clinical team.
- Kidney-preserving treatment where appropriate: For suitable tumours, partial nephrectomy aims to remove the affected tissue while preserving as much healthy kidney as possible.
- Advanced robotic surgery: The da Vinci Xi provides detailed 3D visualisation and precise instrument movement when operating around the kidney and surrounding structures.
- Treatment tailored to you: Your consultant will use your scans, diagnosis, kidney function and general health to determine whether partial or radical nephrectomy is appropriate.
- Private hospital care in London: Your treatment takes place at our independent hospital in St John’s Wood, with specialist care throughout your surgery and recovery.
- Supporting St John’s Hospice: As a charitable hospital, any surplus we make is used to support our on-site hospice, which provides free palliative care to thousands of patients and their families each year.
Robotically-assisted nephrectomy using the da Vinci Xi surgical system
The da Vinci Xi surgical system gives your surgeon a highly magnified 3D view of the kidney and surrounding anatomy, alongside wristed instruments designed for precise movement within the body. Your surgeon controls every movement of these instruments from a console in the operating theatre.
During a robotically-assisted partial nephrectomy, the enhanced view and instrument control help your surgeon carefully separate the tumour from healthy kidney tissue and work around the kidney’s blood vessels, while aiming to preserve as much functioning kidney as possible. During a robotically-assisted radical nephrectomy, the kidney is carefully separated from surrounding structures and its blood supply before being removed.
The da Vinci Xi enables nephrectomy robotic surgery to be performed using a minimally invasive approach. This can offer benefits associated with keyhole surgery, such as smaller incisions and a shorter recovery compared with open surgery, although your individual recovery will depend on the type and complexity of your operation.
Frequently Asked Questions about robotic nephrectomy
A robotic partial nephrectomy removes the tumour or diseased section of the kidney while leaving the healthy part of the kidney in place. It is sometimes referred to as nephron-sparing surgery because the aim is to preserve kidney function.
A robotic radical nephrectomy removes the entire kidney. Your consultant will recommend the approach that is most appropriate for your condition
Kidney cancer or a suspected cancerous tumour is one of the most common reasons for nephrectomy. Surgery may also be considered for a kidney that has become severely damaged or no longer functions effectively.
Your consultant will investigate the cause of your kidney problem and discuss whether surgery is necessary.
Robotic nephrectomy is performed under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon operates through several small incisions in your abdomen, using a camera and instruments attached to the da Vinci Xi surgical system.
For a partial nephrectomy, the affected area is removed while the remainder of the kidney is preserved. During a radical nephrectomy, the whole kidney is removed.
No. The da Vinci Xi is a surgeon-controlled system and cannot operate independently. Your consultant sits at a console in the operating theatre and controls the surgical instruments throughout your procedure.
The main aim of partial nephrectomy is to treat the affected area while preserving as much healthy, functioning kidney tissue as possible.
Using a robotic-assisted approach also allows the surgeon to work through small incisions with a magnified 3D view of the kidney and highly manoeuvrable instruments. As a minimally invasive procedure, it may offer a shorter recovery and smaller scars than open kidney surgery.
Many people can live a normal life with one healthy kidney. Before recommending removal of an entire kidney, your consultant will consider how well your kidneys are functioning and whether the remaining kidney can provide sufficient kidney function.
You may require ongoing monitoring of your kidney function following surgery.
Recovery depends on whether you have a partial or radical nephrectomy, your general health and the complexity of your operation. You will be encouraged to begin moving after surgery, with your activity gradually increasing as you recover.
Your clinical team will give you individual advice about exercise, driving, work and other activities before you leave hospital.
Potential complications include bleeding, infection, blood clots and injury to nearby organs or blood vessels. With partial nephrectomy, there is also a risk of urine leaking from the operated area of the kidney, and in some circumstances it may become necessary to remove the whole kidney.
Occasionally, a robotic procedure may need to be converted to open surgery. Your consultant will discuss the risks relevant to your particular operation as part of the consent process.
Your follow-up will depend on why your kidney surgery was performed. When tissue has been removed because of suspected or confirmed cancer, it is normally examined by a pathologist after surgery.
Your consultant will discuss the results with you and explain whether you require further monitoring, scans or treatment.