Kidney stone disease is a condition caused by the formation of hard crystals in the kidneys which then become stones. Usually, kidney stones can be small or large and can be located in various channels from the urinary tract to the urethra. This condition can cause sufferers to experience pain when urinating, and reduce the volume of urine that comes out of the patient's body.
Symptoms of kidney stones
There are several variations in the symptoms of kidney stones depending on the size, location, and type of kidney stone. Some of the common symptoms associated with kidney stones are pain in the waist area, pain when urinating, and urine color that turns cloudy or bloody. If a kidney stone is too large or gets stuck in the urinary tract or bladder, it can cause more serious problems such as a urinary tract infection or kidney damage.
Kidney stone surgery procedure
Not all kidney stone conditions require surgical procedures. In some cases, kidney stones can be carried out with the urine by consuming lots of water. In some other cases, the symptoms of kidney stones can also be treated with drugs such as analgesics. However, if the patient is stated to have to carry out a kidney stone surgery procedure, there are several types of procedures that can be carried out according to the size, location, type, and symptoms experienced by the patient. Here are some common kidney stone surgery procedures:
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL is a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up kidney stones into small fragments that can pass out of the body in the urine. The patient will be placed on a special table, and shock waves will be directed to the kidney stone through the skin. This procedure is usually performed on small kidney stones (less than 2 cm). - Ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy is an invasive procedure that involves using a flexible endoscope that is passed through the urethra and bladder, then into the ureter to remove or break up kidney stones. The doctor can also insert special tools such as a laser or gripper to crush kidney stones or take smaller stone fragments. - Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
PCNL is an invasive procedure that involves removing kidney stones through small incisions in the skin on the back, then inserting a small instrument called a nephroscope to crush the kidney stones and remove the fragments. - Open Surgery
Open surgery is an invasive procedure that involves opening the body directly to remove kidney stones. This procedure is rarely performed and is only performed in very severe cases or when other procedures have not worked.
Those are the various symptoms and surgical procedures that can be done to treat kidney stones. If you or your closest relative experiences similar symptoms, immediately consult a trusted doctor to get further and appropriate treatment.
Article written by dr. Arie Asnafi, Sp.U (Urological Surgery Specialist at EMC Hospital Tangerang).