Etymed
nephrectomy
Definition
surgical removal of a kidney
Clinical context
A 45-year-old man presents with severe flank pain and gross hematuria after a motor vehicle accident. Imaging reveals a severely lacerated right kidney with active bleeding. Emergency exploratory laparotomy is performed with right nephrectomy. Postoperatively, the patient is monitored for electrolyte imbalances and volume status as his remaining kidney compensates for the loss of renal function.
Mnemonic
Nephrectomy = Nephron removal (N) and resection (ectomy) = kidney removal