What is Partial Nephrectomy?
Each kidney sits behind the abdominal cavity with an artery, vein and collecting system entering at the hilum. Tumours are judged by size, depth, nearness to the collecting system and vessels, and whether a second kidney is present and working. A small polar tumour may be excised with little ischaemia, while a central or endophytic mass may need longer vessel clamping, collecting-system repair and a higher chance of converting to radical nephrectomy. How much kidney can be saved without leaving tumour behind drives the plan.
