Kidney stones are a conglomeration of crystals that form when minerals in the urine increase. Kidney stone surgery depends on various factors, such as the size and location of the stone. The doctors can easily determine the stone’s location, size, etc, with the help of the latest technologies like X-ray, renal ultrasound and CT scan and personalise your treatment. However, size is the most important of all factors. By using conservative management pain control medications, hydration and other medical therapy, many stones can be treated without any surgery. If the stone is larger, it may require surgery. With advancements, the procedure of kidney stone removal has become easy and reduces the chances of any complications and issues.
What are kidney stones?
Basically, in medical terms, kidney stones are solid deposits of minerals due to the mixture of minerals, salts and other substances found in urine. The size of kidney stones can vary from very small particles to solid masses. Kidney stones can be formed due to various reasons or factors like dehydration, dietary choices, genetic predisposition, certain medical conditions and other medications like diabetes, obesity, primary hyperparathyroidism and chronic diarrhoea.
Understand the size of kidney stones:
If you determine the right size of kidney stone, you can choose the right course of therapy. Physicians can measure the stone’s size in different ways. The mm (millimetre) is the widely used unit of measurement. Those kidney stones that are less than 5mm can be easily removed, but stones larger than 10mm are rarely removed. The stone can be given ‘less than’ and ‘greater than’ size cutoffs rather than given specific sizes.
Different types of kidney stone surgery; the following are the typical surgical techniques for treating various kinds of kidney stones:
- (ESWL) Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: In this procedure, the shock waves break down the kidney stones into smaller pieces and make it easier to pass through the Urinary canal. It is recommended to use the ESWL procedure if the kidney stone is small to medium-sized (less than 2cm).
- Laser Lithotripsy: In this procedure using laser fibre, the kidney stones are broken into tiny pieces, which can be removed naturally or by other means. This treatment is suggested when it cannot be removed by ESWL, such as when they are bigger or embedded in the kidney or lower section of the ureter.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): It is one of the quick surgeries where laparoscopic instruments are used to make the small incision in the back, and a tube is put straight into the kidney to remove and break up the stone. It is an appropriate treatment for those who have bigger stones (usually over 2cm).
- Ureteroscopy (URS): Ureteroscopy treats stones ureter, especially in the middle and lower segments. A ureteroscope, a tube, is equipped with a camera passing through from your bladder and urethra to access the stone. After that, the stone can be removed with the help of a laser and basket-like tool.
- Open surgery: These days, open surgery is not performed for kidney stones. This is the last option to remove the kidney stones. It is suggested when the circumstances are complicated and the less-invasive surgeries are failed.
These surgeries are performed by the best urologists who have experience for many years.
Symptoms and causes of kidney stones: kidney stones can be affected by anyone; it may be males or females. Generally, it affects men in their 30s and 40s more. The exact cause of kidney stones is unknown; typically, the reason it may affect is due to the increase of mineral levels in urine. Types of kidney stones, such as:
- Calcium stones: These stones form due to the high dosage of certain things like vitamin D, medications, etc.
- Struvite stones it is formed in response to UTI
- Uric acid stone: it is formed due to the loss of excessive fluid
- Cystine stones it is formed due to hereditary disorders
Symptoms:
- Sharp pain in the abdomen, back and sides
- Going to the bathroom frequently
- Feeling a burning sensation while urinating.
- Experience of nausea and vomiting
- Red, brown, pink and cloudy form urine
If you have any of the symptoms, then urgently seek the best urologist for further treatment.
RG stone is excellent in providing the best treatment for the removal of kidney stones. With specialised doctors, we provide you with minimally invasive treatments for gallbladder stones and others.
