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What is Kidney stones?

Kidney stones or renal calculi are hard masses of salts and minerals that form in the kidneys. Kidneys filter waste products and expel them from the body through urine. When the concentration of toxic waste in urine is more than the fluid, the waste clumps together to form renal stones. Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a ping pong ball. When kidney stones form around the urinary tract, they can cause obstruction during urination, causing immense pain. Hence, it is very important to seek medical consultation if you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones.

Causes

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Family history
  • Excess consumption of calcium supplements
  • High animal protein diet
  • High sodium intake
  • Dehydration

Symptoms

  • Severe back pain in the flank area
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain while urinating
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Fevers and chills
  • Coloured urine
diagnosis

Diagnosis

  • Imaging tests
  • Blood tests
  • Blood urea nitrogen test (BUN)
  • Urinalysis
Services

Surgery

We leverage modern tools and technology to provide advanced treatment for kidney stone removal. We provide different laser surgeries, lithotripsy procedures like RIRS, URSL, PCNL, and ESWL. All the procedures are accredited under USFDA so our patients can rely on us. Contact us for more information on kidney stone treatment in Gandhinagar.
diagnosis

Cost

The cost of kidney stones surgeries can differ based on the type of treatment, location of the hospital, surgical experience of the urologist. The kidney stone surgery cost usually starts from Rs. 30, 000 and can go up to Rs. 1 lakhs. Get in touch with us to know more about the cost of kidney stone surgery near you.

URS (Ureteroscopy) - 

  • Ureteroscope is passed through the urethra and into the ureter to remove the stone. 
  • The surgeon inserts a thin tube with a camera and light on the tip. 
  • Laser breaks the stone or stones into fragments which are either taken out or allowed to flush out through the urine. 

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) -

  • Uses shock waves to break the kidney stone into small pieces so that you can pass it through your urine. 
  • Done under local or general anesthesia. 
  • The surgeon locates the stones via X-ray or an ultrasound, and a gel-filled cushion is put on your abdomen. 
  • The cushion transmits sound waves to the stone, breaking it up into smaller pieces. 

RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) - 

  • Done using a flexible ureteroscope for larger stones.
  • Performed under the influence of anesthesia. 
  • The urologist will use an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube to reach the bladder through the urethra to identify stones and blast them with a laser. 

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) -

  • The surgeon uses this technique for minimally invasive surgery. 
  • Large kidney stones are removed through a small incision in the skin, and a tube with a camera and light on the tip is inserted. 
  • Imaging tests are done again to check for the results.

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    What are the different kidney stone removal surgeries?

    Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) – RIRS is an advanced procedure to treat kidney stones with sizes between 8mm to 15mm. It is a non-invasive procedure where the patient is administered with spinal or general anesthesia before the surgery for a painless experience. The surgeon inserts a thin, flexible scope that is attached to a camera and a laser on the other end. The stones are then subsequently broken into smaller fragments and expelled through urine. The surgeon may choose to insert ureteral stents before the RIRS surgery. Stents enlarge the passage of the urinary tract for smooth movement of stones. 

    Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) – Ureteroscopic lithotripsy uses a thin scope to locate and remove the stone. URSL is an effective surgical option for moderately sized kidney stones. The patient is administered with local or general anesthesia for a painless procedure. The urologists may insert ureteral stents to ease the movement of stones during the expulsion.

    Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) – It is a non-invasive surgery that uses external shockwaves to break the stones into smaller pieces. It is usually recommended for kidney stones with sizes between 6mm to 8mm. ESWL is a conventional procedure that may require multiple sittings to break the stones completely.

    Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy/Nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) –  PCNL is an advanced procedure to treat kidney stones of size greater than 14mm. It is also known as minimally invasive surgery due to the nature of small incisions in the flank area.  The patient is under general anesthesia throughout the procedure for a painless experience. The surgeon then uses a nephroscope to locate and remove the stone. If the stone is removed in its intact form, it is called nephrolithotomy, and if the stone is broken into smaller pieces, it is termed nephrolithotripsy. 

    How can I prepare for kidney stone surgery?

    • Inform your urologist about any ongoing medications and health conditions before surgery. 
    • You must also let your doctor know about any allergies related to anesthesia.
    • Do not smoke tobacco or anything else before your kidney stones surgery.
    • Consult the doctor before taking any blood thinners and other medications prior to the surgery.
    • Refrain from eating or drinking anything 9 hours prior to the surgery.
    • Do not wear tight clothes. Prefer wearing loose clothing to avoid hurting the surgical site.
    • Avoid weaning any talcum powder or deodorant. 
    • The doctor may also insert stents in your ureter via the urethra, which may be kept there for two to three weeks to dilate or enlarge the ureter and make stone removal easier. 

    Ureteral stents and what you need to know about them?

    Ureteral stents are thin, flexible tubes about 10-12 inches long. They are J shaped soft tubes that are placed in the kidneys with another end in the bladder. The stents hold the ureteral opening and maintain drainage of urine. It is a temporary measure used to allow small stones to get easily flushed out of the system. Stents may cause some mild symptoms that are temporary. Some of the symptoms include bladder irritation, uncomfortable sensation while urinating, blood during urination, etc. 

    The doctors generally suggest avoiding any strenuous activity during this period as it can displace the stent in the ureter causing major complications. The amount of blood loss is rarely significant and can resolve within 24 to 48 hours. The urologist may remove the stent within a few days to a few weeks after the surgery.