Nephroureterectomy
The Procedure
This procedure is performed to remove the kidney (and surrounding fat) for suspected cancer of the inner lining of kidney or ureter. The whole ureter is removed either using a telescope or with a separate incision in the lower abdomen.
Normally, a full general anaesthetic will be used and you will be asleep throughout the procedure. In some patients, the anaesthetist may also use an epidural anaesthetic which improves or minimises pain postoperatively.
The kidney is usually removed using laparoscopic or keyhole technique. A separate incision is usually made in the lower part of the abdomen to enable the lower end of the ureter to be completely removed
A bladder catheter is normally inserted post-operatively, to monitor urine output, and a drainage tube is usually placed through the skin into the bed of the kidney.
Occasionally, it may be necessary to insert a stomach tube if the operation was particularly difficult, to prevent distension of your stomach.
