Partial Nephrectomy in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is partial nephrectomy?
Partial nephrectomy, also called kidney-sparing or nephron-sparing surgery, removes only the part of the kidney that contains a tumour. The surgeon takes the tumour out with a thin rim of normal kidney around it and then stitches the kidney back together. Every nephron, the tiny filtering unit of the kidney, that stays behind keeps working for you, which is the whole point of the operation.
The kidney has a rich blood supply, so the operation is a careful balance between removing the tumour completely and protecting the healthy tissue. Most of the planning goes into where the tumour sits: whether it bulges out from the surface or lies deep near the central drainage system and main blood vessels.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, partial nephrectomy is performed by the specialist urologist through open surgery or by laparoscopic urology through small cuts. It is one of the surgical options described on the kidney cancer treatment page.
Who needs it
Partial nephrectomy is the preferred operation for many small kidney tumours, particularly those found by chance on a scan done for another reason. Keeping kidney tissue matters for everyone, and it matters most for people with only one working kidney, tumours in both kidneys, reduced kidney function, or conditions that strain the kidneys over time, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, both common in the UAE.
Other choices for a small kidney tumour include active surveillance with regular scans, treatment that destroys the tumour with heat or cold, and removal of the whole kidney, covered on the radical nephrectomy page. The decision weighs the tumour's size and position, how well both kidneys work, your age and health, and your preferences. Your urologist explains how well partial nephrectomy suits your tumour, and the choice is made with you.
What happens
Before surgery a CT or MRI scan maps the tumour, its blood supply and its distance from the kidney's drainage system, and blood tests measure kidney function as a baseline.
Partial nephrectomy is done under general anaesthesia. You lie on your side, and the surgeon reaches the kidney through a single incision or through several small laparoscopic cuts. The fat around the kidney is opened and the tumour is located, sometimes with an ultrasound probe placed directly on the kidney surface to show its edges.
To keep the operating field clear, the surgeon often places a small clamp on the kidney's artery for a short, carefully timed period while the tumour is cut out. The cut surface is then stitched closed, any opening in the drainage system is repaired, and the clamp is released so blood flows back into the kidney. The removed tumour goes to the laboratory in one piece so the pathologist can check its type and the margin around it. A drain is often left beside the kidney for a short time to collect any fluid.
Preparing for it
A pre-operative assessment checks your heart, lungs, blood count and kidney function. Bring your full medicine list, because blood thinners, diabetes medicines and some blood pressure tablets need a plan before kidney surgery, and you receive fasting instructions for the day.
Stay well hydrated in the days before surgery, which is especially relevant during the Sharjah summer, unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids. Arrange a lift home and help with shopping and housework. If surgery falls near Ramadan, raise it early so fasting, fluids and medicines can be planned together.
Afterwards
The repaired kidney needs time to heal, so avoid heavy lifting, contact sports and hard straining until your urologist advises. Walk a little more each day. Pain around the wound and the side is expected at first and eases steadily with the pain relief you are given.
Kidney function blood tests are checked after surgery and at follow-up at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, together with a scan of the operated kidney. Your urologist reviews the laboratory result with you and explains the schedule of follow-up scans. Your personal timeline for driving and work depends on the approach used and on your job, whether desk-based, driving or manual.
Contact the hospital urgently if you see blood in the urine that increases, if the wound or drain site leaks clear fluid, or if you develop a fever or worsening pain in your side. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you feel faint or dizzy with rising pain, or if you have heavy bleeding, chest pain or sudden breathlessness.**
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover partial nephrectomy when it is medically needed, and pre-approval is required, supported by the CT or MRI report and kidney function results. The hospital stay, histology and follow-up scans may be approved separately. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover and start the approval early on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of partial nephrectomy?
Partial nephrectomy carries the risks of major surgery, including infection, blood clots and reactions to anaesthesia, plus specific risks such as bleeding from the repaired kidney, sometimes appearing days later, a urine leak from the drainage system, and a small drop in kidney function. Occasionally the surgeon needs to remove the whole kidney during the operation. Your urologist explains how these risks apply to you.
Why keep part of the kidney instead of removing it all?
Keeping part of the kidney preserves filtering units that protect your long-term kidney function, which matters if you later develop diabetes, high blood pressure or a problem in the other kidney. For small tumours, partial nephrectomy removes the cancer while keeping this reserve.
Is partial nephrectomy suitable for every kidney tumour?
Partial nephrectomy suits many small tumours but not every tumour. Very large tumours, tumours in the centre of the kidney near the main vessels, or those that have grown into the veins may be safer to treat by removing the whole kidney.
What is the clamp on the kidney artery for?
The clamp briefly stops blood flow into the kidney so the surgeon can remove the tumour and stitch the kidney with a clear view. The clamping time is kept as short as possible, and some tumours can be removed without clamping at all.
What if the tumour turns out to be benign?
Some kidney tumours removed by partial nephrectomy prove benign under the microscope. Scans cannot always tell benign from cancerous growths, and removing the tumour gives a definite answer while keeping most of the kidney.
Is partial nephrectomy done by keyhole surgery?
Partial nephrectomy can be done by laparoscopic keyhole surgery through small cuts or by open surgery through one incision. The choice depends on the tumour's size and position and your previous operations, and your urologist recommends the approach for your case.
Will I need follow-up scans after partial nephrectomy?
You will need follow-up scans after partial nephrectomy to check the healed kidney and watch for any new growth. The schedule depends on the laboratory result, and blood tests of kidney function are checked at the same visits.
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