India’s population is ageing at a pace never seen before, and with this demographic shift comes a silent health crisis: chronic kidney disease (CKD). For many older adults, kidney problems are not sudden events — they are the result of years of hypertension, diabetes, poor dietary habits, delayed diagnosis, and limited awareness around kidney health. As life expectancy increases, the burden of kidney disease is expected to double in the next decade, placing immense strain not only on individuals but also on families, caregivers, and the healthcare system.
Estimates suggest that one in every ten Indians may have some stage of CKD, and prevalence increases sharply after the age of 50. Among elderly individuals, kidney decline often goes unnoticed until complications such as swelling, fatigue, uncontrolled blood pressure, or reduced urine output appear. Unfortunately, many seniors present late, when treatment options become limited and invasive surgical decisions — such as removing an entire kidney — appear unavoidable.
This is where advanced nephrology and urology care can make a transformational difference. And the recent case from KIMS Hospitals, Thane, demonstrates precisely what is possible when technology, skill and a patient-first approach converge.
The hospital’s Urology team performed a complex nephron-sparing surgery — a procedure designed to remove a kidney tumour while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible. The patient, a 55-year-old woman, had a tumour located dangerously close to the kidney’s main blood vessels, an area known as the renal hilum. Operating in this zone requires high precision because even millimetres matter. A misstep can jeopardise the blood supply, damage vital structures, or lead to long-term kidney damage.
Instead of a radical nephrectomy (complete kidney removal), the surgeons at KIMS Thane chose a conservative, organ-preserving approach. This decision is highly significant for elderly patients, where maintaining kidney function can dramatically influence long-term quality of life and reduce the risks of dialysis or chronic renal impairment.
The surgical team — led by Dr Sandesh Parab, with support from Dr Aakil Khan and Dr Ajit Gujela — meticulously mobilised the kidney, isolated the tumour, and excised it with remarkable precision while ensuring the surrounding vessels remained intact. Advanced hemostatic techniques minimised blood loss and protected remaining tissue. As reported, the patient’s postoperative recovery was smooth, her kidney function remained preserved, and histopathology confirmed a complete tumour clearance with negative margins.
This case is more than a clinical achievement; it reflects a shift in India’s approach to kidney care. As CKD rises among seniors, nephron-sparing techniques can reduce long-term disability, avoid dialysis dependence, and help people live healthier, longer lives. Early screening, regular renal checkups, and timely referral to specialised centres can make the difference between losing a kidney and saving one.
For India’s elderly, preserving kidney function is not just a medical goal — it is a path to maintaining independence, mobility, and dignity.
