Nephrectomy Surgery Abroad

Nephrectomy Surgery Destinations

India

Kidney removal surgery in India costs almost 70% less than the US. Depending on your case and preferences, the nephrectomy surgery in India may cost you between US $5,000 to $7,000.

Before you head for surgery, ensure that the hospital in India is accredited. NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) is a quality certification body for Indian hospitals. JCI (Joint Commission International also accredits hospitals in India that meet their quality standards.

Mexico

Nephrectomy cost in Mexico is about $7,800. The cost may vary depending on your medical situation.

To ensure maximum safety, look for nephrectomy surgery in accredited hospitals in Mexico. JCI, ISO, and CSG Accreditation (General Health Council in Mexico) are a good measure of quality and safety in Mexican hospitals.

Additionally, your nephrectomy surgeon should be experienced and have a degree in Urology.

Turkey

In Turkey, the average cost of nephrectomy (kidney removal) is between US $6,000 to $7,000. The cost may vary for different cases, your preferences or complications in the surgery.

Look for accredited hospitals for safe and quality surgery. Turkey’ accreditation board for hospitals are TÜSKA (Turkish Health Care Quality and Accreditation Institute ) and TAHA (Turkish Accredited Hospitals Association). Also, you can search for JCI-accredited hospitals in Turkey.

Nephrectomy Cost Abroad

The cost of nephrectomy in the US is about $20,000. In countries like India, Mexico, and Turkey, nephrectomy costs between $5,000 to $8,000, at least 60% less than the US. The table below shows average cost of nephrectomy in countries abroad.

Know that the costs above are an estimate. Various complications, individual case, and personal preferences may change the total costs.

What Is Nephrectomy?

Nephrectomy involves the removal of a damaged and/or dysfunctional kidney. The removal can either be of the complete kidney or only the damaged part, as per circumstances and advised by the doctor. ^[1]National Kidney Foundation
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Nephrectomy is also used to describe the surgical removal of the kidney from a healthy donor for the purpose of kidney transplantation.

Who Needs Nephrectomy Surgery?

Nephrectomy is a kidney removal procedure. It is recommended for patients with severe kidney damage from either some disease, an injury or congenital conditions.

Some of the most common reasons for nephrectomy surgery include cancer of the kidney or renal cell carcinoma, polycystic kidney disease and serious kidney infections. ^[2]Harvard Health
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Nephrectomy Surgery Types and Procedure

A nephrectomy is performed under general anesthesia and the surgery takes approximately 4-6 hours.

Depending on the situation, you may need a complete or partial nephrectomy. In complete nephrectomy, the entire kidney is removed, while in partial nephrectomy, only a small portion (the diseased or infected part) of the organ is removed.

The surgery can be done as an open surgery (with one incision), or as a laparoscopic procedure (with three or four small incisions).

Open Nephrectomy

In the traditional open nephrectomy surgical procedure, an incision of 8-12 inches is made on the side or the front of the abdomen.

This cut exposes the kidney and gives easy access for the surgeon to remove the kidney. Your surgeon will move the nearby organs aside gently and cut off the blood vessels and the ureter to the kidney.

When the kidney is free, it is lifted out. The incision layers are closed with surgical staples or sutures. ^[2]Harvard Health
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In Radical nephrectomy, the surgeon will make the cut in the front of the abdomen.

The procedure can take up to 4 hours.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laparoscope to remove the kidney. It is also called ‘keyhole surgery’. In this, the surgeon will make 3-4 small cuts in the abdominal area. Each incision is about 12 millimeters long.

The surgeon views the kidney and surrounding tissue with a flexible video-scope. They will maneuver video-scope and surgical instruments through four small incisions in the abdomen.

Once the kidney is free, it is secured in a bag and pulled. ^[2]Harvard Health
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Although this procedure is slightly longer than the traditional nephrectomy, it offers advantages in terms of quicker recovery and barely visible scars.

Recently, nephrectomy can also be performed through a single incision in the patient’s belly-button. This advanced technique is called Single Port Access Surgery. ^[3]NCBI – PubMed
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Nephrectomy Recovery

Recovery can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. The recovery period for a nephrectomy varies from person to person, and depends on the type of surgical procedure. Follow your doctor’s instructions and take medicines as directed for an uneventful recovery.

Will I experience pain after the surgery?

You may experience discomfort and pain in the area of the incision. This is normal and you can manage it better with the help of pain medications prescribed by your doctor. If you experience unbearable pain, swelling, or bleeding, you should consult your doctor immediately.

How long will I stay in hospital?

It depends on your situation and may vary from 2-7 days.

Is follow-up needed for nephrectomy?

If you are going abroad for nephrectomy surgery abroad, it is important to arrange for follow-up with your doctor. Alternatively, you can also arrange follow-up with a local doctor.

References:

1. National Kidney Foundation: Nephrectomy
2. Harvard Health: Nephrectomy
3. NCBI – PubMed: Single Access Laproscopic Nephrectomy