Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy involves the removal of a diseased kidney when a complete nephrectomy is planned or when a complex case arises. This procedure combines an open and laparoscopic surgical approach for improved safety and operative time versus a laparoscopic nephrectomy alone.

Dr. Engel prefers the hand-assisted approach to laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.  He was a very early adopter of this type of surgery, and has been performing hand-assisted surgery as a pioneer for over 15 years.  Hand-assisted laparoscopy is used in Dr. Engel’s practice when a nephrectomy is planned, or for very complex kidney cases. Such situations would include cases where there may be more than one tumor to be removed from a single kidney, or in the case of a solitary kidney where the renal vessels should not be clamped.

Scroll down to view the operative video

In experienced hands, the hand-assisted approach adds safety and speed to the surgery without added incision length or recovery time.

All patients will be prepped with a full bowel prep.

This video represents an actual Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
Warning – The content is graphic.

Recovery & Aftercare

The average hospital stay for a hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is two days with a follow-up office visit in two weeks.

Some reported complications would be inadvertent bowel or vascular injury which is quite rare, or conversion to an open procedure which is even rare in Dr. Engel’s hands.