Robotic Nephrectomy

Robotic nephrectomy — also known as kidney removal surgery — is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes your kidney with the assistance of a robotic surgical system. Your surgeon will use a robotic surgical system to remove all or part of your kidney through one or more small incisions.

Robotic nephrectomy is usually performed to treat kidney cancer, but it may also be performed for kidney donation or to treat other types of kidney damage. Compared to traditional open nephrectomy procedures, robotic nephrectomy may provide benefits such as a faster recovery time, a shorter hospital stay, smaller incisions, and a reduced risk of complications when compared to traditional open nephrectomy procedures.

UPMC experts are national leaders in robotic surgery. Our team uses the latest minimally invasive robotic techniques and technology to perform advanced surgical procedures to treat kidney cancer and other conditions.

What Is A Robotic Nephrectomy?

Robotic nephrectomy — also known as kidney removal surgery — is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove your kidney with the assistance of a robotic surgical system. Your surgeon will use a robotic surgical system to remove all or part of your kidney through one or more small incisions.

Robotic nephrectomy is usually performed to treat kidney cancer, but may be performed for kidney donation or to treat other types of kidney damage.

What are the benefits of robotic nephrectomy?

When compared to traditional open nephrectomy surgery, robotic nephrectomy may provide benefits such as:

• Faster recovery time.
• Less bleeding.
• Less pain.
• Reduced need for pain medications.
• Reduced risk of complications.
• Shorter hospital stay.
• Smaller incisions.

Types of robotic nephrectomy

Robotic nephrectomy is a surgical option that replaces traditional open surgical or minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures.

There are three types of robotic nephrectomy, including:

• Robotic partial nephrectomy — Also known as kidney-sparing surgery, robotic partial nephrectomy involves removing only the diseased or damaged part of your kidney while preserving healthy kidney tissue.
• Robotic simple nephrectomy — Also known as robotic total nephrectomy, this procedure involves removing your entire kidney.
• Robotic radical nephrectomy — This procedure involves removing your entire kidney, as well as surrounding fat, your adrenal gland, and in some cases, nearby lymph nodes.

Conditions we treat with robotic nephrectomy

• Birth defects.
• Kidney cancer.
• Kidney damage due to infection, kidney stones, trauma, or other disorders.
• Kidney donation.

Why Would I Need Robotic Nephrectomy?

You may need a robotic nephrectomy if you have kidney cancer or another condition that requires the removal of all or part of your kidney.

Is robotic nephrectomy right for me?

You may be a candidate for robotic nephrectomy if your doctor thinks you would benefit from minimally invasive surgery to remove all or part of your kidney.

Alternatives to robotic nephrectomy

Alternatives to robotic nephrectomy include:

• Traditional open nephrectomy.
• Laparoscopic nephrectomy.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Robotic Nephrectomy?

Like all medical procedures, robotic nephrectomy comes with some risks, including:

• Allergic reactions to medications.
• Bleeding.
• Blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
• Breathing problems.
• Hernia at the incision site.
• Infection.
• Injury to nearby organs and structures.
• Kidney failure in your remaining kidney.

What Should I Expect From Robotic Nephrectomy?

Before: How to prepare for robotic nephrectomy

Before your procedure, you will meet with your care team and have a physical exam. Your care team will then discuss how to prepare for your procedure, including what you might need to help you recover safely at home.

Your care team may order tests, such as:

• Blood or urine tests — Your doctor may order blood work and urine studies to ensure you are healthy enough for the procedure and check for signs of illness or infection.
• CT scan — A computed tomography (CT) scan of your kidney, which may be used to plan your procedure.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) — This test records the electrical activity of your heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage. EKGs are often performed before a procedure to ensure your heart is healthy and identify potential problems.
• Kidney biopsy — A procedure that involves taking small pieces of kidney tissue for examination under a microscope to check for signs of disease.
• MRI — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within your body.
• Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create images of your organs to check for problems.

Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions. To prepare for the procedure, you should:

• Fast for a certain period of time prior to the procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you need to fast or how long to fast (usually overnight).
• Have any tests that your doctor recommends. For example, your doctor may request a blood test before the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.
• Tell your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
• Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal or other supplements you are taking.
• Tell your doctor if you have any other health conditions. Your care team may need to take certain precautions during your procedure for your safety.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop some of the medications prior to the procedure.

On the day of your procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.

You will need to stay in the hospital overnight or for a few days after your robotic nephrectomy. You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You will also need to arrange for someone to drive you home after you are discharged.

How long does robotic nephrectomy take?

Robotic nephrectomy takes 2-4 hours, depending on the complexity of your procedure.

During your robotic nephrectomy

When you arrive at the hospital, you will meet with your care team for final preparations. You will receive an IV in your hand or arm. You will have general anesthesia to put you to sleep.

After you are positioned on a procedure table and asleep, your doctor will:

• Make one or more small incisions (cuts) in your abdomen and side.
• Insert the robotic surgical system’s camera and surgical instruments into the incision(s). The camera allows your surgeon to see a magnified view of the surgical area on a screen while sitting at a surgical console in the operating room. Your surgeon will perform your procedure from the console using special controls to move the surgical instruments.
• Remove all or part of your kidney through one of the small incisions.
• Remove the robotic surgical instruments and camera.
• Close your incision(s) with stitches or glue.

After your procedure, your surgeon will place a bandage over your incision(s) to ensure your condition is stable. 

How painful is robotic kidney surgery?

During your procedure, you will be under general anesthesia and will not feel any pain. Robotic kidney surgery is performed through several small incisions instead of one large one, so most patients experience less pain, faster healing, and lower risks of complications during recovery when compared to traditional open surgery.

Recovery after robotic nephrectomy

After your procedure is complete, you will be monitored in the recovery area before being transferred to your hospital room. You will need to spend one or more nights in the hospital after your procedure.

You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital after your discharge.

Before you go home, your doctor will tell you:

• How to care for your wounds and watch for signs of infection or complications.
• What medications you need to take.
• When to call your doctor or 911 if you have certain symptoms.
• When you should schedule your follow-up appointments, if one has not been scheduled already.
• When you can return to your normal activities, such as driving and bathing.

What is the recovery time for a robotic nephrectomy?

Because you had a robotic nephrectomy procedure, your hospital stay and recovery time may be shorter when compared to people who have a traditional nephrectomy. You may also have less pain because your incisions are smaller than they would be if you had a traditional nephrectomy.

Most people can return to everyday activities and work two to four weeks after their robotic nephrectomy, compared to eight to 12 weeks after a traditional nephrectomy procedure. Your doctor will let you know when it is safe to resume exercise.

When to call your doctor about complications

You should let your surgeon know if you have:

• A fever of more than 100.0°F.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, or weakness in your leg.
• Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at your treatment site.
• Severe pain that does not respond to medication.

If symptoms are severe — or if you experience chest pain or shortness of breath — you should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.

What’s the prognosis after robotic nephrectomy?

Most people who have a robotic nephrectomy experience excellent surgical outcomes with faster recovery times, a shorter hospital stay, less pain, smaller incisions, and a lower risk of complications when compared to traditional nephrectomy procedures. 

What’s the success rate of robotic nephrectomy?

Robotic nephrectomy is a highly successful procedure for treating kidney cancer and other types of kidney disease. It is also highly successful for people who are donating a kidney.

Why Choose UPMC for Robotic Nephrectomy?

When you choose UPMC for robotic nephrectomy care, you will receive:

• Access to world-class nephrology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of kidney diseases using the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques.
• A full range of treatment options — Our nephrologists work closely with other medical experts such as urologists to ensure that you have access to complete kidney care, including traditional and minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery options.
• Multidisciplinary care — If you need advanced kidney treatment, we partner with special dialysis clinics, experts in supportive care, and kidney transplant surgeons.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24 by William Hoffman, MD.