Stone Surgeries

"Stone surgery" typically refers to surgical procedures performed to remove stones (calculi) from various parts of the body, commonly the urinary tract.

Here are some of the common types of stone surgeries:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL):

• ESWL is a non-invasive procedure used to break up kidney stones into smaller fragments using shock waves generated externally. The fragmented stones can then pass more easily through the urinary tract and be eliminated in the urine.

Ureteroscopy (URS):

• URS involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera (ureteroscope) through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to access and remove stones. Small stones may be removed intact with specialized tools, while larger stones may be broken up using lasers or other instruments before removal.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL):

• PCNL is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove large kidney stones. A small incision is made in the back, and a nephroscope is inserted directly into the kidney to visualize and remove the stones. Larger stones may be broken up using ultrasound or pneumatic energy before extraction.

Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS)

• Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat kidney stones located within the renal pelvis and calyces, which are the inner part of the kidney. It involves accessing the kidney through the urinary tract without making any external incisions.

Open Surgery:

• In rare cases when other methods are not feasible or effective, open surgery may be necessary to remove very large or complex stones. This involves making a larger incision to directly access the affected organ (e.g., kidney or bladder) and remove the stones.