Hand Assisted Laproscopic Partial Nephrectomy

mjmj57inKY

I am new to this group and to RCC. I am having a hand assisted laproscopic partial nephrectomy for stage one RCC this Thursday. What should I expect? My dr. said I'd probably be in the hospital for 2-3 days. I asked him how this surgery would compare to my gall bladder surgery as far as recovery time and such-he said it is more involved. I was out patient for the gall bladder. I've done some research on this,but I'd like to hear from someone who has had it done. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks. MJ

Chicago

Hey MJ,

Glad to hear that you're stage 1. Many of us here have had the partial, but I do not know of anyone who's had it done laproscopically.

The entire kidney can be removed quite easily laproscopically because the organ is entirely encapsulated, with only four tubes coming in and out of it. Removing only a part of the kidney though, is much, much more complicated, because the surgeon has to cut into the capsule itself.

I was told that the biggest danger of cutting into the kidney was the possibility of cutting into the cancer cells themselves, which could then get into the bloodstream and metastacize elsewhere. Most surgeons therefore, require a lot of open room to get at the kidney, just in case there is some serious bleeding.

The laproscopic version of the partial doesn't allow much room for error. My surgeon was trained at the Cleveland Clinic (and has just returned there as a Director), and had performed the laproscopic partial several times. Even he though, would not agree to do my operation laproscopically unless it was done at the Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland is no. 1 in RCC, and he told me that it was the only place he thinks does it successfully. He was also trained at Sloan Kettering and University of Chicago, so I took his warning very seriously.

I don't know where you're having the operation, or who's performing it, so I hope you've been warned about the risks from a laproscopic partial nephrectomy.

That being said, the non-laproscopic version was not pleasant at all. I was in my mid-30's and fairly fit when I had the operation, and I was laid out for a full month, and in a lot of pain the whole time. I would seriously consider going to Cleveland for the laproscopic operation if I ever face the same situation again.

Much more serious than a gall bladder removal. But probably a lot less pain and recovery time than many of us have had, since you probably wouldn't have a rib removed, or all of the muscles in your side sliced in two.

carolinafans

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

carolinafans

carolinafans said:

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

Woops- I clicked the wrong place!

Hope you are healing well- keep up your spirits.

Unknown

I hope that your surgery went well.

There is an email support group specific to kidney cancer. Join it at http://cancerguide.org/kofaq/ .

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

cashche

Hand assisted versus gall bladder
Last Nov I had hand assisted for RCC, I was in the hospital 10 days and 9 in 1989 with old fashioned gall bladder surgery. I would say the worst thing about hand assisted is the "gas" pain. You will fell very bloated. I also suffered from reflux afterwards that was miserable. My prayers are with you and I hope you have an easy experience. I was back to work within 6 weeks. I am 49 now, so being 29 at when I had my gall bladder tells you which surgery seemed easier. Age has a great deal to do with your recovery from any surgery. Be patient with youself and don't plan any big tasks. I was thrilled the day I dressed and went to Walmart even though I had to use the motorized cart I felt human again and then enjoyed many short Christmas shopping trips. It was the best Christmas ever I was just happy to be alive! Once again i say RCC is like a rebirth. The whole Big "C" changes your life.

HeatherHa

carolinafans said:

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

Calinafans - Can I ask you something?
I saw your post from 12/2004. I was wondering if there is still a way I can contact you.

HeatherHa

carolinafans said:

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

who did your husband laparascopic partial?
who did your husband laparascopic partial?

HeatherHa

carolinafans said:

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

who did your husband laparascopic partial?
who did your husband laparascopic partial?

BG

carolinafans said:

Our thoughts & prayers are with you during your surgery. My husband had hand assisted laproscopic nephrectomy in Dec 2004. All went very well- stage 2 and the doctor was able to leave about half of the adrenal gland which was a pleasant surprise to us. The tumor was 9-10 cm. so we were fortunate to get the laparoscopic. Hopefully, that means they had the room needed to work on yours! The surgery was on a Saturday and he came home on Thursday. This was a little longer than we expected but my husband had reactions to pain meds then reactions to meds for the other reactions- it turned into a viscious cycle. By the following Saturday he quit all meds/pain killers due to the side effects he was experiencing. His first scans have gone well & he returns mid July for more scans.

carolina
Hi,

I was just diagnosed last week and go into see the urologist Tuesday. I live in Apex NC, are you near? I think the board is great, and I will post after hearing what the urologist says, his name is Dr Brent Sharpe, if anyone has any information on this doctor let me know.

BG

BG

robotic laproscopic partial nephrectomy, da vinci surgery
Hi mjm,

I am not sure if this is what you are considering, see web link. There are many testimonials in this site, I scanned them and there were some partial and total removals via this procedure. I am going to my urologist tomorrow, and he does this procedure, so once I get more information I will post. This will be my first visit, so not sure the approach he will recommend.

http://www.davincisurgery.com/davinci-surgery

BG