The recommended types of surgical treatment for kidney stones depends on:
- size of stones
- location of stones
- complications from stones
Treatment options include:
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
breaking stones using shockwaves applied via a treatment head placed on the body
stones are fragmented due to these waves and the patient would then pass out these fragments in the urine over the next 2- 4 weeks
Flexible ureterorenoscopy or retrograde intrarenal surgery
a flexible scope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder up the ureter to the corresponding kidney and the stones are fragmented using a laser fibre and the fragments would be retrieved using a special basket inserted via the scope
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
a small cut is made on the skin (usually in the flank) and the corresponding kidney is punctured and the kidney stone(s) will then be fragmented using a combination of different equipment (e.g. ultrasonic lithotripter, pneumatic lithotripter, laser) and the fragments removed via the tract that has been created from the skin to the kidney.
Endoscopic Combined Intrarenal Surgery
this is the combination of both options 2 and 3 at the same sitting and is usually performed for complicated stone surgery
In a nutshell, this will be how stones are treated in Singapore. As there are many ways to skin a cat, do consult your urologist regarding the best treatment option for your condition.
