Urologic Surgery

Surgeons perform laparoscopic adrenal gland removal (adrenalectomy) to remove the adrenal gland. Your adrenal gland sits above your kidney. You may need a laparoscopic adrenalectomy if your adrenal gland stops working correctly. Surgeons also remove adrenal glands as part of cancer treatment. If you have a laparoscopic adrenalectomy. You can expect to stay in the hospital overnight. You may need to stay longer if your procedure is more complex.

Emory urologists routinely perform laparoscopic kidney removal (nephrectomy) to treat cancer. A nephrectomy is also used to treat other non-cancerous conditions and serious infections. Our team is skilled at various types of laparoscopic nephrectomy. A nephrectomy can be transperitoneal (through the abdomen) or retroperitoneal (through the back). If you have a laparoscopic nephrectomy, you can expect to remain in the hospital for up to three days.

Laparoscopic partial kidney removal (partial nephrectomy) involves removing a tumor or diseased section of your kidney. We aim to spare as much of your normal kidney tissue as possible. Researchers have found partial nephrectomy for smaller tumors or diseased areas as effective as complete nephrectomy while maximizing the remaining kidney function. Not everyone is a candidate for robotic partial nephrectomy. Your doctor will look at the location of your tumor or diseased kidney. The location will determine if this surgical option is right for you.

Robotic prostate removal (prostatectomy) is the most widely used minimally invasive surgical option for prostate cancer. Your prostate and lymph nodes (if necessary) are completely removed. Your surgeon also reconstructs your urinary tract. A robotic prostatectomy requires five to six small (1/4 inch) incisions. If you have a robotic prostatectomy, you can expect to go home the next day.

Surgeons use robotic pyeloplasty to restore the proper urine flow from the kidney through the ureter (kidney drainage tube). Doctors may recommend robotic pyeloplasty to correct problems present at birth (congenital). Robotic Pyeloplasty also treats problems created by infection or scar tissue formation. Robotic pyeloplasty is a highly successful minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. If you have robotic pyeloplasty, you can expect to remain in the hospital for one to two days.