Kidney Surgery Process

Our kidneys are crucial in performing the vital functions of our body. Our bodies have two kidneys that filter waste products from our body in the form of urine. The primary function of our kidneys is to regulate fluids in the body and maintain a balance among the chemicals found in our body.

Traditional Procedure

• A person undergoing kidney surgery is put under anesthesia in order to help them experience a pain-free procedure. In the case of kidney removal, the patient's abdomen or the abdomen's side is cut. In some cases, a rib is also removed to ensure a successful surgery. The ureter, a tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder, is also cut. After that, the kidney is removed. Once the procedure is completed, the cut is closed with stitches.

Alternative Procedure

• There are other alternative procedures such as open surgery and the non-invasive laparoscopic surgery. In open surgery, the surgeon makes a large cut in the patient's abdomen. On the other hand, laparoscopic surgery entails three to four small cuts in the abdomen that are no larger than an inch. Video cameras and thin instruments are then inserted into plastic tubes that are placed into the incisions.

Relevance

• There are several reasons why a person needs kidney surgery. Sickness is the top reason why patients undergo this process. Illnesses that require kidney surgery include chronic bleeding, infection, tumor and kidney stones. Birth defects or physical abnormalities that have an effect on kidney functions are another reason for having surgery. Also, individuals who want to donate a kidney for a patient can go under the knife for surgery.

Kidney Transplant

• As mentioned earlier, a kidney transplant requires kidney surgery to be performed on the individual who will donate her kidney. The patient who will receive the kidney most probably has chronic kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. This is a condition where the kidney loses its ability to filter the body's waste and convert it to urine. The only cure for this sickness is dialysis. If this does not work, then a kidney transplant is the only answer.

Risks

• There are risks involved in kidney surgery, starting from the injection of the general anaesthesia. There may be patients who have negative reactions to the medication that may result in convulsions and allergic reactions. Patients may also experience problems breathing due to allergies. The actual surgery can present problems as well, including bleeding and infection. However, these issues can be avoided with the right doctor and the proper equipment.