Karachi: In a major medical breakthrough, doctors at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) have successfully performed a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy—a delicate surgery that removes only the diseased part of a kidney while preserving the healthy portion—marking a new milestone in Pakistan’s surgical urology.
The procedure was led by Consultant Urologist Dr. Imran Khan Jalbani and his team, who used a minimally invasive approach to treat a patient with a kidney tumor. The operation, common in advanced medical centers abroad, represents a major step toward modern kidney care in Pakistan.
Medical science has evolved rapidly, making surgeries once performed through large incisions possible through small keyhole openings. Using a camera and fine instruments, laparoscopic surgery minimizes blood loss, reduces pain, and speeds up recovery.
According to Dr. Imran Jalbani, this procedure was particularly challenging because it required removing only the affected part of the kidney while keeping the rest intact. “Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an extremely delicate surgery,” he explained. “Blood flow to the kidney is stopped for around 25 minutes, during which the tumor must be removed and the kidney reconstructed. Our team completed this complex procedure successfully.”
The patient, Arshad Khan, who had come to the hospital with a kidney tumor, said he was initially afraid of losing his entire kidney. “But thanks to this modern laparoscopic technique, I was walking the next day and discharged within three days,” he said. “There was minimal pain and no long hospital stay.”
Dr. Jalbani said the success of this surgery demonstrates that Pakistan now has access to world-class surgical expertise and facilities. “With this technique, kidney tumor patients can avoid open surgery and opt for a safer, faster, and more affordable treatment,” he added.
He noted that while such operations are performed robotically in advanced countries, the cost is much higher. “In Pakistan, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy provides similar benefits at a fraction of the cost,” he said.
Experts highlight that laparoscopic surgery offers clear benefits—less pain, minimal scarring, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery—making it an ideal option for patients.
“This success is not only for Aga Khan University Hospital but for Pakistan’s entire medical community,” Dr. Jalbani said. “It marks the beginning of a new era in advanced urological surgery, where treatment is less painful, more effective, and within reach of ordinary patients.”