Faster Recovery After Kidney Surgery with Fast-Track
Würzburg, February 6, 2026 – The University hospital of Würzburg has successfully implemented a fast-track procedure for the first time in kidney cancer surgery, resulting in a nearly pain-free experience, rapid recovery, and a short hospital stay for the patient.
What is Fast-Track Surgery?
Fast-track surgery is a modern treatment concept designed to quickly restore the body’s balance after an operation, minimize complications, and accelerate a patient’s return to independence. It includes optimized nutrition,a complete pain management plan,and individualized care.
Expanding the Proven Concept
Previously implemented in general and gynecological surgery, and already in use for radical bladder removals for a year, the UKW Clinic and Polyclinic for Urology and pediatric Urology expanded the Fast-Track approach to kidney operations in January.
Patient Success Story: Petra Engelhardt
Petra Engelhardt, a 72-year-old patient with a tumor on her right kidney, was the first to benefit from this expanded program. Dr. Charis Kalogirou and his team surgically removed the tumor on January 20th, successfully preserving the organ. Ms. Engelhardt was discharged home just three days after the operation, in very good health – substantially shorter than the typical six-day inpatient stay required with conventional procedures.
Key Elements of the Fast-Track Approach:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: Utilizing the DaVinci surgical robot.
- Innovative regional Anesthesia: Employing a quadratus lumborum block, using ultrasound to specifically block nerves, reducing the need for painkillers (especially opiates) and enabling earlier mobilization. (Dr. Maximilian Kippnich, Clinic and Polyclinic for Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy)
- No Surgical drain: Eliminating the need for drainage of the surgical area.
- Pre-Operative Planning: patients are educated on the importance of their participation, including a diet rich in carbohydrates and protein, and pre-operative exercise (walking, breathing, and leg exercises).
- rapid mobilization: Ms. Engelhardt was able to get out of bed for two hours on the day of surgery, increasing to eight hours over three days.
- Early Catheter Removal: the indwelling catheter was removed the morning after the operation.
- Optimized Nutrition: Solid, protein-rich food was provided on the day of surgery to support wound healing and prevent muscle loss.
- Dedicated
Why was this new approach implemented? The University Hospital of Würzburg implemented the fast-track procedure to improve patient recovery times and minimize complications following kidney cancer surgery. The goal was to reduce pain, accelerate healing, and shorten hospital stays.
Who benefited from this new approach? Petra Engelhardt, a 72-year-old patient with a kidney tumor, was the first patient to benefit from the expanded fast-track program. Dr.Charis Kalogirou and his team performed the surgery. Dr. Maximilian Kippnich contributed to the anesthesia plan.
What was done? The hospital expanded its existing fast-track program, previously used in other surgeries, to include kidney operations. This involved a combination of minimally invasive surgery using the DaVinci robot, innovative regional anesthesia (quadratus lumborum block), eliminating surgical drains, pre-operative preparation, rapid mobilization, early catheter removal, and optimized nutrition.
How did it end? The implementation was successful. Ms. Engelhardt was discharged home just three days after surgery, a significant reduction from the typical six-day stay. She was in good health and experienced
