Kidney stones

Kidney stones can result in severe pain in the back, sides, and abdomen. They may also cause nausea and vomiting. In certain cases, they can lead to serious infections as well.

Options for treatment depend on the size, location, and density of the stone.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
- Same day surgery in a surgery center
- 30-60 minutes
- Minimally invasive: nothing is put into the body. Energy waves are produced by a machine external to the body and are focused on the stone breaking it up into small sand and fragments that are then passed in the urine.
Ureteroscopy
- Same day surgery in a surgery center
- 30-60 minutes
- Similar to a colonoscopy, but of the urinary tract. A small camera is driven into the bladder and then up the tube to the kidney (ureter). The stone is then lasered into dust or removed with a basket.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
- Reserved for very large stones
- Done in a hospital
- 90-120 minutes
- A small 2-3 cm incision is made in the back and a small scope is placed into the kidney. Small instruments are then used to break up and remove the stone from the kidney