This method also allows the kidney and surrounding tissue to be removed and sent to the pathologist to determine the extent and seriousness of the cancer. Hand-assisted laparoscopy may decrease recovery time, compared to the traditional procedure. Typically, patients are discharged within two to three days. Most patients can return to work within two weeks after the procedure, although they are not allowed to perform strenuous activity for six weeks. In select patients, Herrell is exploring the use of hand-assisted technology to remove very small kidney tumors and leave the remainder of the nonmalignant kidney.
Partial nephrectomy allows the nonmalignant portion of the kidney to continue to function.