What is a laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy?
Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the renal pelvis, kidney and entire ureter, along with the bladder cuff, in an attempt to provide the greatest likelihood of survival.
When is this procedure used?
Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy is used to treat patients who have transitional cell cancer of the upper urinary tract.
What does this procedure involve?
Unlike a conventional nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic surgery requires only several small incisions. Through these incisions, a surgeon uses a powerful endoscope – a tiny camera – and specialized surgical instruments to remove the diseased organs.
How long does this surgery take?
Surgery takes approximately 3-4 hours, and the hospital stay is usually one to two days. Full recovery usually takes two to three weeks.
What are the advantages of this procedure?
- Reduced hospital stay and faster healing
- Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
- Shorter recovery time
- Quicker return to normal activity or work
- Smaller incisions and less scarring
How long has the Cleveland Clinic been performing laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomies?
The Cleveland Clinic has the most experience of any health care center in the world with this technique and, since 1997, has been employing this procedure routinely with excellent results.
The Cleveland Clinic was one of the first centers to perform Renal transplantation since the mid 1960’s. Currently, more than 95% of the radical nephroureterectomies performed are done laparoscopically.
