Nephrectomy (partial or total) : Kidney removal surgery costs in Turkey

What is a nephrectomy?

A nephrectomy involves surgically removing all or part of a kidney. Doctors may recommend this procedure when facing various medical challenges, such as:

• Kidney tumors, whether benign or cancerous.
• Severe or recurring kidney infections that don't respond to other treatment.
• Complex kidney cysts causing complications.
• Significant kidney damage from trauma or accidents.
• Organ donation programs.

Whenever possible, surgeons work to preserve as much healthy kidney tissue as they can. The good news: most people function well with a single working kidney, maintaining their everyday life and health.

Types of nephrectomy in Turkey

The right nephrectomy approach depends on your diagnosis, current health status, and your surgeon's clinical judgment. Knowing what options exist helps you approach your treatment with confidence.

• Total nephrectomy: The entire kidney is removed, sometimes along with surrounding lymph nodes. This is often chosen for advanced kidney cancer or when kidney damage is too severe to preserve.
• Partial nephrectomy: Only the diseased section gets removed, leaving healthy tissue and function intact. This works well for tumors caught early and contained in one area.
• Bilateral nephrectomy: Both kidneys are removed, which is uncommon. It may be necessary for organ donation (deceased donors),large tumors affecting both kidneys, life-threatening infections, or advanced polycystic kidney disease with severe pain or bleeding. Patients live through dialysis afterward until transplant becomes possible.

Want to explore what's best for your situation? Get in touch with Turquie Santé to arrange a personalized online consultation with a top urologist and receive a customized treatment roadmap.

Diagnosis and preoperative evaluation

Before any kidney removal surgery, your medical team performs a comprehensive evaluation to ensure you're ready. This typically includes:

• Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to visualize the kidney and surrounding structures.
• Blood and urine tests: These show how well your kidneys are currently working.
• Biopsy: Sometimes needed to confirm whether a mass is cancerous.

Your pre-operative visit in Turkey will include bloodwork, an electrocardiogram, and imaging to map out the safest surgical path. Your urologist will give you specific instructions about fasting and any medications you need to adjust beforehand.

How nephrectomy is performed in Turkey

The surgery happens under general anesthesia. Which approach your surgeon chooses depends on your diagnosis, your health, and clinical experience:

• Laparoscopic surgery: Small incisions, less tissue trauma, quicker healing and minimal post-op discomfort.
• Open surgery: Needed for large or anatomically complex tumors requiring direct access.
• Robotic-assisted surgery: Offers superior precision and detailed visualization, particularly valuable for partial nephrectomies.

Through Turquie Santé, our partner urologists in Turkey will review your full medical background, walk you through each surgical option available, and help you find the approach that matches your specific health situation.

Recovery and follow-up guidance

What happens after surgery matters just as much as the procedure itself:

• Hospital stay: Typically 3 to 7 days, varying based on the surgical technique used.
• Post-op care: A temporary urinary catheter, pain relief, and gradually increasing activity levels.
• Follow-up: Ongoing visits to monitor kidney function and catch any problems early.

Most people return to normal daily life. To give your remaining kidney the best chance, doctors usually suggest:

• Staying well hydrated throughout the day.
• Reducing salt in your diet.
• Eating balanced meals and managing blood pressure.
• Steering clear of smoking.
• Being careful with medications that could stress kidney function.

Risks of a kidney removal surgery

Like all major surgery, nephrectomy carries certain risks that should be understood:

Looking for expert guidance to ensure your nephrectomy goes smoothly? Reach out to Turquie Santé to connect with experienced urologists and get a personalized care plan tailored to your needs.