What term describes the fixation of a floating or mobile kidney?

• A. Nephropexy
• B. Nephroptosis
• C. Nephrectomy
• D. Pyeloplasty

Answer: (A)

Fixation of a floating kidney is described by nephropexy. Here, nephro- means kidney and -pexy means surgical fixation, so the procedure literally means "fixing the kidney in place." A kidney that moves abnormally is called nephroptosis, the drooping of the kidney when upright. The operation aims to anchor the kidney so it stays in a normal position. Nephrectomy is the removal of a kidney, and pyeloplasty is surgical repair of the renal pelvis or ureteropelvic junction to address obstruction, not fixation.