The type of kidney stones treatment a patient requires will depend upon the type of kidney stone that the patient has developed. Small kidney stones, classified as stones of a maximum diameter of four millimeters, can be passed in the urine. Pain will be relieved upon passing of the stone. If pain is severe, a physician may prescribe a medication to relieve the pain. Large kidney stones, classified as being larger than six to seven millimeters in diameter, may require treatment. Stones of this size are typically too large to pass in the urine. Treatment for large kidney stones may include: surgery, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The type of treatment chosen will depend upon the size and the location of the kidney stones.
Ureterorenoscopy, also known as retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), is a kidney stones treatment for kidney stones stuck in the ureter, the small tube that carries the body’s waste products from the kidneys to the bladder. During this kidney stone treatment, a long, thin telescope, known as a ureteroscope, is passed through the urethra (the tube that transports urine stored in the bladder to be passed outside the body), into the bladder. From here, the ureteroscope is passed up into the ureter in which the stone has lodged itself. The stone may be removed whole or broken up with a laser. Ureterorenoscopy is performed on a patient under general anesthetic. This kidney stone treatment is between 50 and 80 percent effective at removing stones of a maximum of 15 millimeters.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a common kidney stones treatment. This treatment method involves the use of X-rays or ultrasound waves. This treatment breaks the kidney stones into smaller fragments that can be passed from the body in the urine. ESWL is typically performed with the patient under a local anesthetic. Several ESWL kidney stone treatment sessions may be required. This kidney stones treatment method is up to 99 percent effective for kidney stones measuring a maximum of 20 millimeters in diameter.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a kidney stone treatment for kidney stones between 21 and 20 millimeters in diameter. This kidney stones treatment may be used in patients who are not suited to ESWL kidney stones treatment. PCNL kidney stones treatment uses a small telescopic instrument termed a nephroscope. Surgeons make a small incision in the patient’s back to allow access to the kidney. The instrument is then used to access the kidney stones. Once the kidney stones have been found, they are either pulled from the kidney or broken into tiny pieces with the aid of a laser. PCNL is typically performed with the patient under a general anesthetic. This kidney stone treatment method is up to 86 percent effective at treating large kidney stones.
Traditional surgery is often the last resort kidney stones treatment. This kidney stone treatment method involves making a small incision in the back to remove the kidney stone. Surgery is necessary only in five percent of cases.
