Nephrectomy (Kidney Removal) in Delhi

Nephrectomy is the removal of all or part of a kidney — most often for a tumour, or for a kidney that has been destroyed and is no longer working. At Sama Hospital — a NABH-accredited, doctor-owned hospital in South Delhi — it is performed by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery where suitable, which means less pain and a faster recovery.

And the question everyone asks first has a reassuring answer: you can live a completely normal life with one healthy kidney.

• A kidney tumour — often cancer, found increasingly by chance on scans done for other reasons
• A non-functioning kidney — destroyed over time by obstruction, stones or repeated infection, and sometimes causing pain, infection or high blood pressure

This is an important distinction, because the aim is to preserve as much kidney function as possible.

Partial nephrectomy removes only the tumour and a margin of surrounding tissue, sparing the rest of the kidney. For small tumours, this is the preferred approach wherever it is feasible.

Radical nephrectomy — removing the whole kidney — is used for larger tumours, or for a kidney that has already lost its function.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy, through small incisions, is well established and means less pain, smaller scars and a faster return to normal life than open surgery. Larger tumours or complex anatomy may still need an open operation — and where it does, that is the correct, safest choice, not a lesser one.

Most people live entirely normally with a single healthy kidney. It adapts, takes on the work of two, and overall function usually remains normal — which is exactly why living kidney donation is safe. Afterwards, staying well hydrated, keeping blood pressure controlled and avoiding unnecessary kidney-stressing medicines are sensible, and your doctor will guide you.

After keyhole surgery, most patients go home within two to four days and return to routine over a few weeks, avoiding heavy lifting for a little longer. Open surgery takes longer to recover from. Where the reason was cancer, follow-up scans and reviews continue.

What moves the figure: whether the surgery is partial or radical, laparoscopic or open; the complexity of the case; anaesthesia; and length of stay.

We quote an all-inclusive package, confirmed after clinical assessment, with cashless treatment available for eligible insurance patients. See our cost estimate page.

Doctor-owned, NABH-accredited, in South Delhi since 1982. Where part of the kidney can be safely spared, that is what we aim to do — preserving your kidney function, not just removing the problem.

Yes. A single healthy kidney adapts and takes on the work of two, and overall function usually stays normal — which is why kidney donation is safe. Staying hydrated and controlling blood pressure are sensible precautions.

Most often a tumour (frequently cancer), or a kidney destroyed by obstruction, stones or infection and no longer working. Small tumours may need only part of the kidney removed.

No. For small tumours a partial nephrectomy removes only the tumour and a margin, sparing the rest. A whole-kidney removal is for larger tumours or a kidney that has lost its function.

Often, yes — laparoscopic nephrectomy means less pain and faster recovery. Larger or complex cases may need open surgery, which the surgeon will advise on.

Home within two to four days after keyhole surgery, back to routine over a few weeks. Open surgery takes longer. Cancer cases have ongoing follow-up.