Kidney Stone Surgery

Kidney stones are calcium deposits that occur in the kidney. There are many reasons as to why kidney stones develop. Mostly, such calcium deposits occur in the kidney due to high levels of calcium in the blood, which is known as hypercalcemia, or due to malfunctioning of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Thus, although there are many causes of kidney stone formation, there are only a limited number of treatment options available. The first line of treatment always consists of a conservative approach, wherein there are attempts made to get rid of the stone without the need for surgical intervention. However, in cases where the stone is either too large, or in cases where the person is feeling acute pain, then surgical intervention is preferred as a treatment option. Given below is a description of a kidney stone surgery, and the different types of surgery procedures.

Normally, if a stone does not get resolved with the help of conservative measures within a month's time, then surgery is considered. There are different types of procedures that are undertaken, which help to either completely remove, fragmentize or at least bypass the renal calculi. Given below are the various surgical options that are considered:

Ureteroscopy
This simple surgery involves fragmenting or breaking up the stone into small pieces. This procedure is preferred if the stone has passed from the kidney into the ureter. A ureteroscope is passed through the urethra, while the patient is generally under general anesthesia. Once the stone is located, it is either removed by being scooped out with the help of a small basket or pouch attached at the end of it, or it is broken into small pieces with a laser. Thus, this is the most well-known kidney stone laser surgery. Once the stone is fragmented into small pieces, the patient is asked to drink adequate amount of water so as to then pass the stone naturally.

Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy is the surgery of choice in cases where the stone may be present in the kidney or in the upper ureter. Lithotripsy makes use of an instrument which breaks the stone into small pieces, which are then passed out naturally. This procedure is contraindicated in patients suffering from severe medical conditions, or in cases where the stone present is very large in size. In ultrasonic lithotripsy, high frequency sound waves are used to break up the stones with the help of an electronic probe. Once the stone is fragmented, the stone can either be passed by the patient or surgically removed. In electrohydraulic lithotripsy, a flexible probe breaks the stone with the help of shock waves. This procedure can be used anywhere along the course of the urinary tract. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy involves forced impulses that focus on the stone and break it into small pieces, which are either passed out naturally or removed. However, this procedure should not be used in pregnant women, or in cases where the stone is very large.

Percutanous Nephrolithotomy
This is a surgical procedure that is performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. This procedure is done through the skin of the individual, wherein the surgeon accesses the kidney through a direct route after zeroing in on the exact location of the stone. A needle and guiding wire are used to access the nephrons in the kidney. Catheters are then threaded into position and the instruments are then used to fragment the stone. However, this procedure requires hospitalization unlike other simple surgical procedures.

Open Surgery
This is the last option that is considered while dealing with a kidney stone and is rarely used nowadays. This is done only when the stone present is very large in size or very solid, due to which it does not break into fragments easily. This procedure is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the patient's back, after which the stone is extracted through an incision in the ureter or the kidney. On the flip side, this procedure requires prolonged hospitalization and has a prolonged kidney stone surgery recovery time.

Thus, this was all about kidney stone removal options available to deal with renal calculi. The surgery cost will depend on many factors, like the type of operation done, size of stone, risks and complications encountered, etc. However, one should always try out natural remedies for kidney stones before going in for surgical options.