Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy In Singapore
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of a kidney, including surrounding fat, lymph nodes, adrenal gland and part of the ureter. It is performed using small incisions and specialised instruments to treat kidney cancer that is to large to be treated by partial nephrectomy surgery. This technique offers reduced pain, faster recovery and lower complications.
Medically reviewed by Dr Ho Siew Hong
Senior Consultant Urologist
MBBS (NUS), FRCS (Edinburgh, Glasgow), FAMS (Urology), Singapore Board Certified Urologist
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy involves removing a kidney together with a large cancer through keyhole incisions. The procedure uses a laparoscope – a camera that guides the surgeon with a magnified view and several fine 5-10mm instruments to divide tissue without bleeding, staplers to control and divide larger blood vessels.
- Patients with tumours too large for partial nephrectomy, usually larger than 5cm
- Centrally and very deeply located cancer within the kidney
- Early cancer invasion or involvement into the renal vein with formation of a small thrombus
- Cyto reductive surgery for large kidney cancers with metastasis, working together with the medical oncologist to combine removal of the kidney with chemotherapy/immunotherapy for improved outcome and survival
- Removal of the kidney upon completion of chemotherapy/immunotherapy when most areas of metastasis had been adequately treated
- Minimally invasive with small incisions
- Less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery and earlier return to activities
- Comparable cancer control to open surgery
- Suitable for patients received or are planned to undergo chemotherapy or immunotherapy
- Better cosmetic results
- General anaesthesia is administered
- 3–4 small incisions, each measuring 5-10 mm are made for camera and instruments
- The kidney is mobilised and blood vessels are carefully sealed
- The kidney (or tumour portion) is removed using a specimen retrieval bag to prevent contamination
- A lower abdomen incision of about 8cm is made to remove the kidney within the retrieval bag
- The lower abdomen wound and rest of smaller wounds are closed with sutures and covered with dressing
- Hospital stay of 3-4 days
- Oral pain medication and early ambulation
- Return to work in 2–4 weeks, depending on job type
- Regular follow-up for kidney function and imaging
- Encourage hydration and avoid strenuous activities for 6 weeks
- Referral to a medical oncologist to discuss immunotherapy in patients with high risks of relapse
- Bleeding needing blood transfusion
- Infection at wound area
- Injury to nearby organs (e.g. bowel, spleen, pancreas)
- Complications from general anesthesia
- Hernia at incision site
Take Control of Your Kidney Health
Timely management can preserve kidney function and improve long-term wellbeing. Book a consultation with Dr Ho Siew Hong to explore your safest, least-invasive options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most people live normal lives with one functioning kidney. Our team would have investigated and counselled the patient on the quality of life, prior to removal of the kidney.
Scars are small (usually 1–2 cm) and fade over time for laparoscopic wounds. As for the lower abdomen wound to remove the kidney, it is smaller than a Cesarean section wound.
Yes. It offers equivalent outcomes in terms of effectiveness in cancer control with less discomfort and faster recovery.
Yes. In Stage 1 kidney cancer, 5 year cancer free survival is close to 97%, without need for additional chemo / immuno / radiation therapy.
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