Kidney cancer treatment with open kidney surgery

Surgery is the most effective way and the basis for further kidney cancer treatment. Depending on the stage, surgeons can remove the affected kidney with lymph nodes and sometimes the adrenal gland (radical nephrectomy). With a small tumor size, it is possible to perform kidney resection, saving the organ and removing only part of the kidney. All patients undergo a complete examination before surgery, including urine and blood tests, tests to assess kidney and liver function, an electrocardiogram, etc. Open surgery is always performed under general anesthesia. The patient is placed on the side or the back, depending on the location and size of the tumor. The surgeon can make an incision on the abdomen (in the middle, under the rib), on the side, and in the lumbar region. First, the doctor finds and carefully selects the vessels and ureters that feed the kidney and clamps them with special brackets. Next, he removes the tissue affected by cancer. Finally, the surgeon stitches the wound in layers and applies stitches and sterile bandages. In some cases, the physician leaves drainage. The average duration of the operation is 2. 5-3 hours. After waking up, the patient remains under the supervision of the clinic staff to avoid side effects and complications.