Robot Assisted Radical Nephrectomy
What is Robot-Assisted Radical Nephrectomy?
Robot-assisted radical nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove all or part of a kidney affected by conditions such as kidney cancer, tumours, or severe kidney infections. This procedure is performed using a specialized surgical robot controlled by Dr Menogue. The robot’s precise movements and advanced technology allow for increased surgical accuracy and quicker patient recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Why is it Done?
Robot-assisted radical nephrectomy is recommended when conservative treatments have been ineffective or when there is a need to remove a kidney due to disease. Conditions that might require this procedure include:
- Kidney Cancer: When kidney tumours are malignant or cancerous, removal of the affected kidney or tumour (partial nephrectomy) is necessary to prevent the spread of cancer.
- Benign Tumours: Even non-cancerous tumours can cause symptoms or complications and may need to be removed.
- Severe Kidney Infections: In cases of persistent infections that do not respond to other treatments, removing the affected kidney might be the best option.
Benefits of Robot-Assisted Surgery:
- Minimally Invasive: The procedure involves smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, reduced scarring, and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
- Precision: The robotic system allows for highly precise movements, enabling the surgeon to access hard-to-reach areas more easily.
- Reduced Blood Loss: The minimally invasive nature of the surgery often leads to less blood loss during the procedure.
- Shorter Hospital Stay: Patients typically spend less time in the hospital and can return to their normal activities sooner.
- Faster Recovery: The smaller incisions and reduced trauma to surrounding tissues result in a quicker overall recovery period.
The Procedure:
- Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia will be administered to ensure you are comfortable and asleep during the procedure.
- Incisions: Several small incisions will be made to allow the insertion of specialized surgical instruments and the robotic arms.
- Robot Control: Dr Menogue will control the robotic arms from a console, guiding the instruments to perform the surgery.
- Kidney Removal: The affected kidney or tumour will be carefully removed.
- Incision Closure: The incisions will be closed using sutures or adhesive materials.
Recovery:
- Hospital Stay: You will need to stay in the hospital for approximately 2 days for observation, depending on your individual case.
- Pain Management: Pain after surgery is typically manageable with pain medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Activity: You will be encouraged to start walking and gradually resume normal activities as advised by Dr Menogue and his team.
- Follow-up: Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your recovery and overall health.
Risks and Complications:
While robot-assisted radical nephrectomy is generally safe, there are potential risks, including infection, bleeding, anaesthesia reactions, and damage to surrounding organs. There is also a risk that your overall kidney function will be affected by removal of part or all of your kidney. Dr Menogue will discuss these risks with you before the procedure.
Robot-assisted radical nephrectomy is an advanced surgical technique that offers multiple benefits over traditional open surgery. Dr Menogue and his Team will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure that you have the best possible outcome. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to discuss them with us.