Doctor examines and advises patient with only one kidney before discharge - Photo: BVCC
On March 20, according to information from Binh Dan Hospital, the hospital had just removed a tumor and preserved the kidney of Mr. BXB, 51 years old, living in Ben Tre. 3 years ago, Mr. B. was accidentally discovered to have only one kidney during a medical examination. He was often tired, had a poor appetite, urinated less, and lost weight for unknown reasons.
Tumor removal, kidney preservation for patients with only one kidney
During this visit, he was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney failure and required regular dialysis. Recently, when he went for a check-up, his only kidney had a tumor that developed into renal cell cancer.
Upon hearing this bad news, Mr. B. said he "didn't want to live anymore". He was afraid of having his kidney removed or living with the tumor growing bigger and bigger.
Encouraged by his family, Mr. B. went to Binh Dan Hospital for treatment. Through ultrasound, doctors determined that he had a tumor in the middle third of the front of his only kidney, measuring about 20mm x 20mm.
Doctors noted that although his kidney function had declined and he needed regular dialysis, Mr. B. was still able to urinate about 1,000ml per day.
Thanks to the kidneys excreting urine, it helps eliminate electrolytes, maintain homeostasis, support cardiovascular regulation, and maintain normal blood pressure for patients.
After consultation, the doctors decided to perform laparoscopic surgery to remove the tumor while preserving the remaining healthy kidney for the patient.
Dr. Pham Phu Phat, head of the Department of Urology A at Binh Dan Hospital, said that total nephrectomy is an easier option for doctors, but the results can greatly affect the patient's quality of life.
When the only kidney is lost, the patient can no longer maintain the ability to filter blood and excrete urine. As a result, the patient is susceptible to electrolyte disturbances, homeostasis, cardiovascular disorders, blood pressure, etc. In addition, the patient is susceptible to edema, must be very careful in eating and drinking, and it is more difficult to detect health abnormalities because urine cannot be observed.
Psychologically, the patient is prone to depression and dysfunction due to the loss of sensation and urination habits. When the kidney is removed, the patient's chances of receiving a kidney transplant in the future are also narrower. That is why the hospital performed a complete tumor removal, avoiding the risk of tumor invasion and preserving Mr. B's healthy kidney.
The retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery to remove the kidney tumor and preserve the kidney of patient B. took place in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. After the surgery, Mr. B. recovered quite quickly.
Doctors say a single kidney is a condition in which a person is born with only one kidney, or has had one kidney removed or has had a kidney donated.
The rate of people having a single kidney is about 1/1,000 and is more common in men than women. The single kidney still works better and performs 75% of the function compared to having two kidneys.
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