Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery Chennai

Kidney issues are among the most critical health concerns, and while traditional surgeries offer solutions, they can sometimes do more harm than good. To cope with this problem comes the robotic nephrectomy, a new-age medical evaluation to treat big kidney issues with small invasions in the body. This article will explore Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery in Chennai in detail.    

Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery Chennai and the world is an advanced and minimally invasive surgery used to remove the whole or part of a kidney of people suffering from serious kidney issues like kidney cancer, tumours, etc. This surgery allows kidney patients to recover faster than traditional surgeries, which makes it a prominent surgical procedure in modern medicine and surgeries.

Robotic Nephrectomy is a highly specialised technique that requires precise tools along with the expertise of an experienced surgeon, both of which are key elements of Gleneagles Hospital, which makes it one of the best nephrology hospitals in India. 

Robotic nephrectomy is a type of minimally invasive surgery where a whole or part of a kidney is removed through robotic technology. The procedure involves making small incisions in the abdomen that a robotic system, like the da Vinci Surgical System, is inserted through. The arms of the robot, which have high-definition cameras and precision instruments, enable the surgeon to operate with improved accuracy and control. The robot assists with fine movements that will not create a lot of disruption to neighbouring tissues. It provides less pain, faster healing, and little scarring from conventional open surgery.

Primarily, Robotic Nephrectomy can be divided into two types based on the part and extent of damage to the kidney. These two types are: 

• Radical Robotic Nephrectomy: This is the type of surgery in which the entire kidney is removed. Radical Robotic Nephrectomy is generally recommended for patients with severe conditions such as kidney cancer, where a tumour is grown within the kidney. It is also advisable for people with significant damage to the kidney beyond repair. This is done to ensure the cancerous tissue doesn’t affect the surrounding organs.
• Partial Robotic Nephrectomy: Partial Robotic Nephrectomy is basically the removal of a part of the kidney, done to patients with small tumours or entry-stage cancer, which allows the surgeons to preserve the healthy portion of the kidney. This procedure significantly reduces the chances of kidney failure and is generally recommended for younger patients.

Robotic Nephrectomy offers a lot of benefits over traditional open surgery, which makes it the most appealing option for many patients. Some of these advantages are: 

• Smaller Incision: Robotic systems in the procedure allow the surgeon to create small, accurate injuries, usually no more than a few centimetres. The smaller wounds result in fewer scars and reduced risk of complications like infections and wound healing issues.
• Decreased Pain: Smaller incisions result in less tissue disruption of the body, which means less post-surgery pain. Consequently, patients tend to need fewer pain pills and have a more pleasant recovery.
• Reduced Recovery Time: Robotic nephrectomy, as compared to open surgery, results in faster recovery times. A lot of patients can get back to their regular routines in weeks, unlike the longer recovery time from open surgeries.
• More Accuracy and Control: The robotic system offers the surgeon a high-definition, 3D image of the surgical area, as well as instruments that are capable of moving with greater precision.
• Less Blood Loss: Robotic nephrectomy is less bloody than open surgery, which is particularly important when one is operating on life-sustaining organs like the kidney. The robotic platform provides improved control of bleeding during the procedure.

A complex surgical procedure like a Robotic Nephrectomy requires proper planning for a successful outcome and reduced complications during the operation. The preparatory steps for a positive outcome include: 

• Medical History Review: The first step for any medical procedure to be commenced is the evaluation of the complete medical history of the patient. This includes detailed tests of kidney condition, any previous surgery, or the family history of medical conditions.  
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound are performed to evaluate the exact size, location, and nature of the kidney condition to help the surgeon plan a proper surgical plan for the best outcome.
• Blood Tests: Complete blood tests are recommended for patients to check the overall health of kidney functions. This helps doctors assess the kidney problem along with any underlying blood issues to ensure if the patient is fit for surgery or not.
• Discontinuation of Certain Medications: If you are on certain medications, it is necessary to inform your healthcare provider. For example, if you are on blood thinners, then it needs to be stopped to reduce the chances of extra bleeding during the surgery.
• Fasting: Just like any other surgery, patients will be required to fast for a specific period before the actual procedure. Fasting decreases the chances of complications related to anaesthesia, which ensures a safe surgical experience. 

Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery in Chennai or any place in India generally includes several steps in a specialised operating room with advanced tools. The procedure generally involves these steps: 

• Anesthesia Administration: General anaesthesia is given to keep the patient in an unconscious state and without pain throughout the procedure.
• Incision Placement: The doctor creates a few small incisions (typically 3-4) in the abdomen. These incisions are of sufficient size to accommodate the robotic instruments, a camera, and necessary instruments.
• Robotic Surgery: The surgeon controls robotic arms from a console with instruments and high-definition cameras. The robot's arms are much more flexible than the human hand, allowing precise movement in inaccessible kidney areas. The surgeon excises the tumour or the kidney tissue as necessary.
• Reconstruction: Once the tumour is removed in partial nephrectomy, the surgeon can reconstruct the residual kidney tissue to preserve kidney function.
• Closure: After the procedure is complete, the small incisions are stitched up with sutures or staples and the patient is sent to the recovery area.

After a successful robotic nephrectomy surgery, the patient will be transferred to the recovery room or, in some cases, ICU, where they will be monitored thoroughly to analyse any complications as the effect of anaesthesia wades off. The patient will be monitored in the recovery room for 4 to 6; during this time, the patient will be provided with medications and other consumables to manage pain associated with the incision.

In diet and nutrition, patients are typically provided with clear liquids in the beginning and then gradually transition to solid foods. The doctor will also suggest you walk or move around to reduce the risk of severe blood clotting and promote healing. Note that it is required to attend follow-up appointments to check for any complications and to ensure the stability of the kidney and its functions. 

Although a minimally invasive procedure like Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery Chennai is considered a safe option, it can still carry some potential risks and complications, which include: 

• Infection: The biggest risk of the surgery is an infection at the site of the incision, though infection is very rare due to the small size of the incision.
• Bleeding: Robotic Nephrectomy can lead to bleeding during and after the surgery, although the precision of robotic surgery helps in reducing this risk significantly.
• Damage to Surrounding Organs: Although a rare sight, instruments used in surgery can also cause unintended injury to organs near the affected organ, in this case, the ureter or surrounding blood vessels.  
• Blood Clots: Blood clots can be formed during or after the surgery in the legs leading to deep vein thrombosis or traveling to other parts of the body.

For a complex procedure like Robotic Nephrectomy Surgery Chennai, it is important to choose a healthcare faculty with modern and advanced tools and expert doctors. This is where the Gleneagles Hospital stands out as India’s Top Urologist faculty with some other top-class facilities such as: 

• Gleneagles Hospital is equipped with advanced and latest robotic technology to conduct this surgery with accuracy and precision.
• The Doctors at Gleneagles are determined to provide a patient-centric approach, meaning every patient is treated according to an individualised plan.
• A high success rate with a strong track record of the surgery.
• Experienced doctors with international exposure and expertise performing various surgeries related to kidneys.