Resection of the kidney: indications, surgery, rehabilitation

The only effective method of treating kidney tumors is an operation during which pathologically altered tissues are removed. At the same time, modern doctors use techniques that allow preserving organs, in particular, kidney resection is performed instead of nephrectomy, in other words, only the damaged part is excised.

What is this body?

The kidney is a kind of filter that helps to cleanse the blood. A large amount of blood passes through it a day. It is thanks to this that the latter is further purified from various by-products in the metabolism.

Every healthy person has 2 kidneys, which are practically symmetrical under the diaphragm. This body, after purifying the blood, produces urine, which, through special tubes, enters the bladder. In it, this product of vital activity accumulates for urination. The body is able to function normally with one kidney.

Indications for operation

Such an intervention, as a kidney resection, is prescribed for many problems that require treatment in an operative way. But they resort to removing part of the body only if it is not completely damaged, because only in this case the patient is completely restored after the illness. Most often, resection is resorted to when a cyst is found on the kidney or a tumor that can degenerate into a malignant one.

In addition, there are several indications, which guide many doctors in the appointment of such an operation:

• Rapid growth in benign education.
• The area of damaged tissues does not exceed 4 cm.
• High risk of malignant degeneration of tissues.
• Urolithiasis disease.
• Cyst on the kidney.
• Tubercular organ damage.
• Oncological process in the kidneys.
• Risk of kidney failure.
• Damage to part of the kidney due to trauma.

In malignant formations, resection of the organ is carried out very carefully, since if the doctor leaves tissues with signs of rebirth during the operation, the tumor will begin to develop anew. Usually surgeons in such cases do not risk and completely remove the kidney in order to avoid the re-occurrence of formation and metastasis.

Resection of the kidney: basic methods

In the treatment of this organ, physicians resort to open or laparoscopic surgery. In the first case, excision of part of the kidney occurs by cutting in the lumbar region. But more often laparoscopic resection of the kidney is performed. Reviews about this method of treatment, usually positive. This operation allows you to avoid huge wounds on the patient's body. During the procedure, a small incision is made, into which microsurgical instruments and a television camera are inserted using a special flexible tube (catheter).

The choice of type of operation depends on the availability in the hospital of the appropriate equipment and qualifications of surgeons. Of course, most doctors prefer laparoscopy, because after it the patient quickly goes on the amendment.

Contraindications to the removal of part of the kidney

Resection of a kidney tumor is not done if the person is in serious condition or has co-morbidities that increase the risk of getting complications during surgery.

Preliminary examination before resection

Before performing an excision of the affected part of the kidney, the patient must first be examined by an anesthesiologist. Preparation for resection consists in general examination, instrumental examination and laboratory tests:

• Radiography of the organ with contrast agent.
• Ultrasound, MRI and CT.
• Renal perfusion and angiography.

In addition, before surgery, the patient will have to spend several weeks in the hospital. But before entering the medical institution, the patient should take a chest X-ray and pass blood tests for the following diseases: hepatitis, syphilis, HIV. In the hospital, a person is examined by an anesthesiologist and a therapist, and the enema is performed in the evening before resection.

Operation

Resection of the kidney is done under general anesthesia. The first thing doctors do is fix the patient with straps to the surgical table, and a roller is placed under the healthy side. With the usual excision of the affected organ, the doctor performs an arcuate incision on the patient's body with a scalpel. The length of such a groove is about 10-12 cm. When the excision of the damaged part of the kidney is performed by a laparoscopic method, the length of the incision does not exceed 3-4 cm.

In the course of the usual surgical intervention, the physician approaches the injured organ layer by layer, then clamps the kidney leg with a special device made in the form of an elastic structure. When laparoscopic intervention, the surgeon monitors the progress of the instruments on the monitor display.

The clamp during surgery is used to reduce the blood flow when removing the organ with a scalpel - this action is performed by the doctor on the damaged part of the kidney. The injured tissues of the physician are excised in the form of a wedge, thus obtaining two equal flaps. They then shift and sew them together.

Then, to the site of removal of the kidney part, drainage is introduced to control the liquid discharged from the organ after surgery. After its installation, the incision on the body is sutured.

Complications

Although excision of the affected part of the organ is a more gentle operation, rather than complete removal of the kidney, but even after it can have negative consequences, typical for any surgical intervention. For example, acute impairment of cerebral circulation or myocardial infarction can occur.

Since in most cases terminal stages of urolithic pathology occur most often in elderly people with all kinds of tumors and cancer of a certain stage, at the time of surgery they already have many concomitant diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases.

The operating physician requires a lot of experience in the subsequent recovery, since it is necessary not only to anticipate the occurrence of complications, but also to warn them in time.

Rehabilitation after kidney resection

After surgery, a long recovery period is required, which can last about a year. Quite often patients complain of pain after a kidney resection, which can be eliminated only by the administration of pain medications. To prevent the development of negative consequences after surgery, you should follow some recommendations:

• Drink plenty of water.
• To be inspected after resection every three months.
• Eliminate physical activity, as in the first days after discharge the patient feels a breakdown and severe fatigue. It is necessary to have a rest as much as possible.
• Avoid stressful situations and nervous strains.
• Consult with the doctor about the peculiarities of nutrition. After all, in each case, their recommendations, everything will depend on the severity of the disease, the age and complexity of the operation.
• It is necessary to avoid after removing a part of the kidney from communicating with sick people and hypothermia, because the body during this period is not protected from infections.
• After surgery, a person should monitor the condition of the sutures.

Compliance with diet after surgery

It is important to adhere to proper nutrition during rehabilitation. In the first days after excision of the organ, a person is supplied with intravenous nutrition. A few days later the patient begins to eat on his own. It is useful after this operation to consume freshly prepared food, while it should be easily assimilated, with microelements and vitamins.

In the recovery period, the patient is better to reduce the load on the liver and kidneys. It is recommended to use kidney instead of regular tea, but its use must be coordinated with the doctor. It is also useful to drink fruit drinks prepared from cranberries and cranberries, as well as tea from bearberry or dandelion root.

After resection of the kidney should be added to the diet of eggs, sour cream, honey and a variety of vegetables. It is desirable to boil meat and fish, and not fry. But changing eating habits is necessary gradually, although most restrictions are applied immediately after surgery.

Among other things, the patient will have to give up smoked, salty, spicy and fatty foods. It is forbidden to eat foods containing preservatives, sweets, soda and alcoholic beverages. From the rich broths and marinades, it is also better to refuse for the time of rehabilitation.