The human
body consists of two kidneys on each side of the spine at the back of
the abdomen. As we know kidney produces urine, flushes out the excess
toxins in the body, and maintains a balance of the salts and acids in
the body.
The common problems that arise from the kidneys are the block in the ureters.
Ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
This problem can arise from birth, sometimes due to the stones present
in the kidney, due to illness or some injury. When neglected the blockage
are infected and damages the kidney in the end.
The next
problem is the cancer that affects the kidneys, forming small tubes and
tumors inside the kidney, which originates in the renal tube and renal
pelvis.
Open kidney surgery is necessary to remove large stones, which are caused
by an infection. One may need open kidney surgery to remove smaller stones
also when all other options to expel the stones have failed.
When a person is born with deformed urinary system that affects normal
urine flow, then an open kidney surgery is necessary.
Kidney Transplant and Open Kidney Surgery
This open surgery is the conventional or the traditional method of surgery
where the surgeon cuts open a six to seven inches incision on the front
or side of the abdomen with the help of general anesthesia. This type
of surgery lasts for about three hours and another two hours until you
reach the recovery room.
The patient is under observation initially and has to stay in the hospital
for about seven days. The patient cannot eat for the first three days
and so should start on liquids. Painkillers are given and shots to prevent
blood clots. Doctors recommend breathing exercises for the patients.
The advantage of taking up an open kidney surgery is that the surgeon
is able to have a clear picture about the problem and so can handle it
better like complex cancers.
The main disadvantage of this open surgery is that it leaves a big scar
on the body. The stay in the hospital is long and it takes a long time
to get back to the normal routine.
With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, open surgeries are becoming less
popular because it is less invasive, no scar and time span to become normal
is lesser than the open surgery.
The other risks related to open surgery is that there are chances of damage
of other organs during surgery. Excessive bleeding may require blood transfusion.
There are chances of infection also. All these risks are nil in laparoscopic
surgery.
Although the open kidney surgery is becoming out of date because of its
risks and demerits, surgeons or doctors still consider it in the case
of kidney cancer, kidney transplant and other serious kidney diseases.
Laparoscopic surgery do not help in such cases so open surgery or the
traditional surgery is still necessary medically.
