Nephrectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. It is performed as a partial (kidney-sparing), radical (total), or living-donor procedure, most often to treat kidney cancer, a severely diseased or non-functioning kidney, or to provide a healthy kidney for transplantation.
Kidney cancer or a suspicious kidney mass, a severely damaged or non-functioning kidney, recurrent kidney stones or infection that has destroyed kidney tissue, or β for living donors β a healthy kidney being removed for transplantation into someone else.
Bleeding, infection, and injury to nearby organs or blood vessels. Risks are minimised by careful patient selection and experienced surgical teams.
Standard blood work, imaging review (CT or MRI), an anaesthesia consultation, and fasting per protocol.
A check-up appointment around 2β3 weeks after surgery, then long-term monitoring of kidney function (eGFR, creatinine) and blood pressure.
In plain terms: your surgeon separates the kidney β or just the affected part of it β from its blood vessels and from the ureter (the tube that carries urine to the bladder), then removes it. Radical nephrectomy takes out the entire kidney; partial nephrectomy removes only the diseased part and leaves healthy tissue behind. Surgeons reach the kidney through a single larger cut (open surgery), several small cuts (laparoscopic, or „keyhole,” surgery), or with robotic assistance, where the surgeon operates from a console beside the operating table.
The most common reason for this surgery is a kidney tumor β which may be cancerous (most often renal cell carcinoma) or non-cancerous. A nephrectomy may also be recommended if a kidney has been severely damaged or has stopped working, for some cases of kidney stones or infection that have destroyed kidney tissue, for severe trauma, or β in an entirely different context β when a healthy person donates a kidney for transplantation (living donor nephrectomy).
Nephrectomy is a decision made with your urologist or uro-oncologist, usually after imaging has already found a problem β itβs rarely something you request yourself. You and your care team are more likely to be discussing it if you notice:
None of these symptoms alone means you need surgery β theyβre reasons to get imaging and a specialist opinion.
These are the conditions linked to this treatment in our directory. Your clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate using your symptoms, examination and test results.
Remember: These entries are not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Discuss your symptoms and test results with a qualified clinician.
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If you’ve noticed blood in your urine, ongoing back or flank pain, or a kidney problem has shown up on a scan, it’s worth getting it checked rather than waiting it out β a simple blood test, urine test, and imaging review usually give your clinician the first answers. Most kidney findings turn out to be manageable, and many don’t need surgery at all. If a specialist opinion is the right next step for you, you can find a specialist on KidneyGlobal and book a consultation directly.
A nephrectomy is done in a hospital operating theatre under general anaesthesia, so youβre asleep and feel nothing during surgery. Before you go in, the team confirms your identity, the correct kidney/side, and reviews your scans one more time.
There are three main surgical approaches. Open nephrectomy uses one larger incision (8β12 in / 20β30 cm) in the side or abdomen β used less often today, mainly for large or complex tumors β and typically means a hospital stay of several days. Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery uses 3β4 small (1β2 cm) incisions, with a camera and instruments doing the work and the kidney removed through one slightly enlarged incision, with a typical stay of 1β2 nights. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery takes the same small-incision approach, with the surgeon operating robotic arms from a console for extra precision, especially for partial nephrectomy, also with a typical stay of 1β2 nights.
Removing a diseased, non-functioning, or cancerous kidney addresses the underlying problem directly, and for many patients it’s the single most effective step available.
Nephrectomy has risks and trade-offs to discuss with your care team. The information below comes from this treatmentβs clinical data.
Bleeding, infection, and vascular access issues are the main concerns. Specifically:
Risks are minimised by careful patient selection, experienced surgical teams, and choosing the least invasive approach suitable for the tumor or condition.
Who it may not suit: people with severe heart or lung disease that makes major surgery unsafe, significant uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or β for partial nephrectomy β a tumor positioned where only a radical approach is technically safe. These are general cautions, not a personal verdict. A qualified clinician must assess your full medical picture before recommending or delaying treatment.
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Right after surgery, you’ll wake up in a recovery area before being moved to a hospital ward. Expect a temporary urinary catheter (and sometimes a drain), usually removed within a day or two once you’re mobile; pain managed with medication, easing over the first few days; and encouragement to sit up and walk as soon as it’s safe, which lowers the risk of blood clots and helps your bowels restart.
Some effects relate to having less kidney tissue than before, and can develop over the longer term:
Most people with two kidneys before surgery go on to live full, healthy lives with one, since a single healthy kidney can generally take over the workload of both. Your team will monitor your kidney function (eGFR, creatinine) at follow-up visits regardless of which approach was used.
New or severe symptoms require prompt medical advice. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you feel seriously unwell.
Most people having laparoscopic or robotic surgery stay in hospital 1β2 nights, with light daily activity resuming within 2β4 weeks. Open surgery usually means a longer stay of several days, with full recovery taking 6β8 weeks or more. These are general ranges β your own timeline depends on your health, the extent of surgery, and how your body responds.
At home: keep incisions clean and dry and watch for redness, swelling, discharge, or fever; avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks, though short walks are usually encouraged early on; and avoid driving until you’re off strong pain medication and can react safely.
A follow-up visit, often 2β3 weeks after surgery, reviews healing, pathology results (if the kidney/tumor was analyzed), and kidney function. If your nephrectomy was for cancer, you’ll typically have a structured surveillance plan β periodic imaging and blood tests β for several years afterward. If it was for a non-cancerous condition, follow-up usually focuses on monitoring the function of your remaining kidney over time (via eGFR and creatinine checks), blood pressure, and general kidney health.
Specialists linked to this treatment in the KidneyGlobal directory. Review credentials and confirm availability directly before booking.
Verified kidney centres linked to this treatment in the KidneyGlobal directory.
Most people with one remaining healthy kidney will not need dialysis. A single healthy kidney can generally do the work of two, though over time reduced kidney reserve can bring a higher chance of high blood pressure, extra protein in the urine, or chronic kidney disease β your team will check your kidney function before and after surgery.
No. It's most often performed to treat kidney cancer or remove a non-cancerous tumor, but it's also used for a severely diseased or damaged kidney, and β in a donor nephrectomy β to remove a healthy kidney for transplant into someone else.
It tends to reduce bleeding, pain and recovery time compared with open surgery, but it isn't right for every tumor or every patient β your surgeon will explain if it's suitable for you.
Most keyhole or robotic procedures take about 2β4 hours; timing depends on the approach, tumor complexity, and whether nearby structures need to be removed.
A gradual reduction in overall kidney function and a somewhat higher chance of high blood pressure or CKD over time β which is why regular kidney-function checks are part of follow-up care.
Yes β for a major, largely non-emergency decision like this, a second opinion from another verified specialist is a normal and reasonable step, and most surgeons expect and welcome it.
