Kidney
In cases of severe kidney problems, open kidney surgery may be pursued to provide relief. These surgeries include the removal of a kidney (nephrectomy) or part of it (partial nephrectomy), open removal of a kidney stone (open nephrolithotomy), kidney biopsy or kidney transplant procedure.
Radical (total) or partial nephrectomy (for trauma / tumour)
Kidney removal surgery may be pursued in the event of a kidney tumour being discovered or if the patient has experienced significant kidney trauma. This surgery is known as a nephrectomy and will be done under general anaesthetic. Dr. Hayden will make a single incision in the patient’s abdomen or side and then, depending on the case, either remove the whole kidney (radical nephrectomy) or else only the problematic area (partial nephrectomy). The recovery time from kidney removal surgery ranges from 3-6 weeks.
Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction repair
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (commonly known as UPJ obstruction) refers to urine blockage as it flows from the renal pelvis to the ureter. This can result in kidney obstruction. A UPJ obstruction can be detected even in utero, and the problem may be managed without the need for surgery. However, in serious cases, utereropelvic junction obstruction repair can provide effective surgical relief.
Open nephrolithotomy
Kidney stone surgery (an open nephrolithotomy) is rarely required for large kidney stone removal. When stones are too big to be removed by less invasive measures, Dr. Hayden will proceed with an open nephrolithotomy procedure, with involves making a single incision in the patient’s side to access the kidney. Another incision will then be made in the kidney itself, in order to remove the large kidney stones. Patients will be hospitalised for up to a week following this kidney stone removal procedure, and full recovery time could be up to 6 weeks.
Renorrhaphy (renal repair) after trauma
If a patient has experienced extreme kidney damage or suffered a bad kidney injury, renorrhaphy after trauma is considered as the best surgical option if conservative measures fail or are deemed unsafe. Renorrhaphy refers to the suturing (closing up) of the kidney after kidney trauma (which is also referred to as renal trauma). If renorrhaphy is unsuccessful or also deemed to be unsafe, a nephrectomy (partial or complete) is done.
Ureteral obstruction may cause flank pain, often spreading to the groin, on the affected side. The pain is usually intermittent. Other symptoms may include a high fever.
This is a condition where a blockage occurs in the junction where the ureter attaches to the kidney. This causes decreased flow of urine down the ureter and increased fluid pressure inside the kidney. Pain or discomfort is commonly prominent when drinking alcohol or in periods of increased fluids intake.
It may be caused by trauma, scar tissue from a kidney infection or stone, an abnormal blood vessel, or it may be congenital (the patient was born with the condition).