Prof. Dr. Emel Akoğlu
UrologyVerified
- 57+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
Kidney & Bladder
Robotic radical nephrectomy
What robotic radical nephrectomy is, when the whole kidney is removed for kidney cancer, how a robotic system is used through small incisions, what the evidence says compared with open and partial nephrectomy, how life continues with one kidney, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, recovery, risks and how to check a hospital.
A written plan with the surgeon's name and the full price — usually within 24 hours.
- Category
- Kidney & Bladder
- Hospitals
- 2
- Verified
- 2
- Price from
- Price on request
Verified surgeons for Robotic Radical Nephrectomy
2 doctors Compare doctors, ratings and prices — ask any of them for a free quote.
Prof. Dr. Zerrin Biçik Bahçebaşı
UrologyVerified
- 37+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
What is robotic radical nephrectomy and how does it work?
Robotic radical nephrectomy is an operation to remove an entire kidney, usually together with the fatty tissue around it, using a robotic surgical system through several small incisions rather than one large cut. It is mainly performed for kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). The surgeon sits at a console and controls instruments that carry a magnified three-dimensional camera. Blood vessels to the kidney and the ureter are secured and divided, the kidney is freed from its surroundings and placed in a bag, and it is taken out through a short incision, often low in the abdomen. Hospitals in Turkey offer this with a da Vinci system alongside open and standard keyhole options.
This guide explains when a whole kidney needs to be removed, what the evidence says, what the operation costs compared with the UK, US and Germany, what recovery and life with one kidney involve and how to check a hospital. Other kidney and bladder operations are listed in our urology treatments in Turkey hub.
When is the whole kidney removed rather than just the tumour?
For small kidney tumours, guidelines from the European Association of Urology and the American Urological Association prefer partial nephrectomy, which removes the tumour and keeps the rest of the kidney, whenever it is safe and technically possible. Radical nephrectomy is advised when the tumour is large, sits deep near the central vessels, involves the vein or the collecting system, or when the remaining healthy kidney tissue would be too little to be useful. It may also be chosen if the other kidney is normal and the tumour looks aggressive on CT or MRI. A urologist should explain why a partial operation is or is not possible in your case, and a second opinion is reasonable before any kidney is removed.
Does robotic radical nephrectomy work as well as open surgery for cancer?
The purpose of the operation is to remove the cancer completely, and cancer control is the first measure of success. Studies comparing robotic, standard laparoscopic and open radical nephrectomy generally show similar cancer outcomes when the surgeon is experienced and the case is suitable. The robotic and keyhole routes tend to give smaller scars, less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay than open surgery, while the operation can take longer and cost more.
The robot does not change the stage of the cancer. Whether you need further treatment depends on the pathology report: size, grade, whether the tumour reached the vein or fat and whether any lymph nodes were involved. Very large tumours or tumours growing into the main vein may need open surgery or a specialist team.
Who is a suitable candidate for the robotic route?
Suitable patients have a kidney tumour that, on scans, can be removed whole through keyhole access and who are fit for a general anaesthetic of several hours. Previous abdominal operations, obesity or a very large tumour do not always rule it out but may make the open route safer. Your team will review a CT or MRI of the abdomen, a chest scan to check for spread, blood tests including kidney function, and heart and lung fitness. It is not a treatment for kidney stones; those are handled by operations such as the ones in our urology hub.
Robotic radical nephrectomy cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for one operation, not hospital quotes. The price depends on the size and position of the tumour, whether the adrenal gland or lymph nodes are removed, the length of stay and what the package includes. Each hospital confirms its price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €8,000 – €18,000 |
| United Kingdom | €12,000 – €26,000 |
| United States | €30,000 – €70,000 |
| Germany | €12,000 – €25,000 |
A package normally includes pre-operative scans and tests, the robotic operation, anaesthetist, hospital nights, the pathology report, medication and airport transfers. Ask whether the pathology report is translated, whether intensive-care time is covered if needed and how your results will be sent to your own oncologist. Our free quote page asks the hospital to list these items in writing.
Radical or partial, robotic or open: how do the options compare?
There are two decisions: how much of the kidney is removed and which route is used. They are made together by the urological oncology team from the scan findings.
| Option | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Robotic radical nephrectomy | Larger or central tumours not suitable for a kidney-sparing operation | Kidney function reduced to one kidney; needs a robot-trained team |
| Robotic partial nephrectomy | Small or accessible tumours | Technically demanding; bleeding or urine leak can occur |
| Open radical nephrectomy | Very large tumours, tumour in the main vein, complex anatomy | Larger incision, longer recovery |
How is the operation done step by step?
You have a general anaesthetic and lie on your side. Four or five ports of about 1 cm are placed and gas inflates the abdomen. The surgeon moves the bowel aside, identifies the renal artery and vein, secures and divides them, separates the kidney with its surrounding fat and divides the ureter. Where it is clinically justified the adrenal gland or nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. The kidney is placed in a bag and taken out through an incision, and a small drain may be left. Operating time is commonly two to four hours.
Can you live a normal life with one kidney?
Yes. The remaining kidney grows slightly and takes over much of the work, and most people with a healthy second kidney lead normal lives. Your kidney function will be checked with blood tests before and after surgery, and you will be advised to keep blood pressure controlled, stay well hydrated, avoid kidney-harming painkillers such as regular high-dose anti-inflammatories without advice and attend regular check-ups. People with pre-existing kidney disease have a higher chance of long-term kidney problems, which is one reason partial nephrectomy is preferred when possible.
Robotic radical nephrectomy recovery: how long should you stay in Turkey?
Most patients stay in hospital for two to four nights and remain in Turkey for about seven to ten days. You are encouraged to walk the day after surgery and to do breathing exercises to lower chest infection risk.
- Week 1: soreness at the incision sites, tiredness, a drain or urinary catheter removed in the first days, painkillers as advised.
- Weeks 2 to 4: light activity at home and short walks, no heavy lifting.
- Weeks 4 to 6: many people return to desk work; heavy lifting and strenuous exercise wait until the surgeon agrees, often six weeks or more.
- Follow-up: blood tests and scans at intervals set by the pathology and your oncologist.
Flying is usually allowed after the surgeon has checked you, with movement and fluids to lower clot risk.
What are the risks and complications?
Common effects are pain, tiredness, bruising and a short period of bowel slowness. Less common problems include bleeding that may need transfusion, infection, injury to nearby organs such as the bowel, spleen, liver or pancreas, blood clots, a hernia at an incision site and conversion to open surgery. In the longer term, losing a kidney can lower overall kidney function, and the cancer can recur, which is why follow-up scans are needed. The NHS and the European Association of Urology provide patient information on kidney cancer surgery. Ask the surgeon how often they perform robotic nephrectomy and what the plan is if bleeding occurs.
How to choose a hospital and what to ask
Check that a urological oncologist experienced in kidney cancer will operate, that the hospital is licensed with pathology, a blood bank and intensive care and that your scans are reviewed before a quote is given. Red flags include a quote without scans, pressure to remove the kidney without discussing partial surgery, no pathology plan and no follow-up arrangement with your home team. See how our process works for the steps from your scans to surgery.
- Is a kidney-sparing operation possible for my tumour, and why or why not?
- How many robotic nephrectomies does the surgeon perform in a year?
- Will the adrenal gland or lymph nodes be removed?
- When will I get the pathology report, and can it be sent to my doctor?
- What follow-up scans do I need, and who arranges them at home?
The same urology departments also treat conditions such as circumcision and penis enlargement, which have their own separate plans.
Hospitals with Urology in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is an operation to remove a whole kidney, usually with surrounding fat, using a robotic system through small incisions. It is mainly done for kidney cancer when the tumour cannot be removed on its own.
In suitable cases it removes the tumour completely, and studies show cancer outcomes similar to open surgery when the surgeon is experienced. Further treatment depends on the pathology report.
Approximate costs are €8,000 to €18,000 in Turkey, against about €12,000 to €26,000 in the UK. The price depends on tumour size, whether lymph nodes or the adrenal gland are removed and the hospital stay.
For small, accessible tumours guidelines prefer partial nephrectomy because it keeps kidney tissue. Radical nephrectomy is used when the tumour is large, deep or involves vessels.
Most people stay two to four nights in hospital, return to desk work in four to six weeks and avoid heavy lifting for about six weeks, depending on the surgeon's advice.
Yes, if the other kidney is healthy. It enlarges slightly and takes over, but you will need blood pressure control, good hydration and regular check-ups of kidney function.
You are asleep during surgery. Afterwards there is soreness at the small incisions and around the extraction site, usually controlled with medication, and most people walk the next day.
It usually takes about two to four hours, depending on the size and position of the tumour and whether lymph nodes or the adrenal gland are removed.
Often not for early-stage disease, but it depends on the pathology and staging. Your oncologist will advise on scans, medication or other treatment after reviewing the report.
Plan for about seven to ten days, including two to four hospital nights, so the surgeon can check your wounds and recovery before you fly.
Patient stories