Removing a kidney

[Alpo]

Let's say that neither of my kidneys is working. Now as I understand it, the kidney is on the backside of the body. That's why you can punch somebody in the back just above their hip bone and cause them grievous pain. Because you hit them in the kidney.

 

So I am getting a kidney transplant. They do not cut me open in the back and take out one of the defective kidneys and replace it with a good kidney. Instead they cut me open in the belly and put the good kidney in through there and leave both defective ones where they are.

 

At least that's the way I understand it.

 

But if, instead of giving me a kidney they were taking one out. Like I'm donating a kidney to somebody.

 

Do they go in from the front, or do they go in from the back?

 

My knowledge of anatomy is not that great, but it just seems like, depending on whether you're doing the left or the right, in the front you have a stomach and you have an appendix and I believe you have a liver and a spleen. Several things in the front that you'd have to move aside to get in there.

 

So - simple question. Take it out from the front or the back?

[Whitey James]

My left kidney was removed due to cancer and it was done using robotic tools. I have one long-ish scar above my belly button and two small scars just above my belt line on left side where the robot arms went in.

My doctor had told me in the old days they went in from the side/back but was much more evasive being the kidney is under the rib. This way you recover much faster.

[Pat Riot]

35 minutes ago, Alpo said:

Take it out from the front or the back?

How ever the surgeon wants to do it. 

[Wrangler Rich SASS #42157]

My Grandfather born in 1904 was kicked by a horse in 1911, he was 7, they removed his left kidney, from the scar, they took it out from the back. He lived a long and productive life. A fine gentleman and loving husband. I miss him .....

 

WR