What is the surgical removal of a kidney called?

The surgical removal of a kidney is referred to as nephrectomy. This procedure can be performed for various reasons, including treating kidney diseases, tumors, or severe injuries to the kidney. During a nephrectomy, one kidney is entirely removed, which can be done using open surgery techniques or minimally invasive approaches like laparoscopic surgery.

Laparotomy, which is another choice, describes a surgical procedure that involves making a large incision in the abdominal wall to gain access to the abdominal cavity, but it does not specifically refer to kidney removal. Appendectomy pertains to the surgical removal of the appendix, and cholecystectomy refers to the removal of the gallbladder. Both of these procedures are unrelated to the kidneys.

Understanding these terms helps clarify what nephrectomy involves and why it specifically pertains to kidney surgery, distinguishing it from other surgical procedures.