Kidney Stone Removal

Modern kidney stone treatment uses non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques — lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or PCNL — to remove stones without open surgery.

Success Rate

92%

Hospital Stay

0–2 days

Recovery

1–7 days

Cost Range

₹40,000 – ₹1,80,000

Kidney Stone Removal: Treatment Options

The choice of treatment depends on stone size, location, composition, and the patient’s anatomy.

Treatment Methods

ESWL — Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Ideal for: Stones < 2 cm in kidney or upper ureter
How it works: Focused shock waves break the stone; fragments pass in urine over 2–4 weeks
Advantages: Completely non-invasive; outpatient procedure; no anaesthesia
Limitations: May require multiple sessions; not suitable for hard stones or certain locations

Ureteroscopy (URS / RIRS)

Ideal for: Ureteric stones and small kidney stones (< 2 cm)
How it works: Flexible or rigid scope inserted through the natural urinary passage; laser (Holmium) breaks the stone; fragments retrieved
Advantages: High success rate; day surgery; no incision
RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): Flexible ureteroscope reaches the kidney directly

PCNL — Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Ideal for: Large kidney stones (> 2 cm), staghorn calculi, failed ESWL/URS
How it works: Small puncture in the back under X-ray/ultrasound guidance; nephroscope inserted; stone broken and removed directly
Mini-PCNL / Ultra-mini PCNL: Smaller punctures, less bleeding, faster recovery — available at advanced centres

Open Surgery (Rare)

Reserved for complex anatomy, failed minimally invasive approaches, or concurrent anatomical reconstruction needed.

Prevention After Stone Removal

Drink 2.5–3 litres of water daily
Dietary modifications based on stone type (calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite)
24-hour urine metabolic evaluation to identify underlying cause
Medications (potassium citrate, thiazide diuretics) for recurrent stone-formers

FAQ

Kidney Stone Removal — Frequently Asked Questions

Can kidney stones pass on their own?

Stones smaller than 4–5 mm often pass spontaneously with high fluid intake and pain management. Stones larger than 7 mm rarely pass on their own and usually require intervention.

What is ESWL (lithotripsy)?

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy uses focused shock waves from outside the body to break stones into small fragments that can be passed in urine. It is completely non-invasive — no needles, no anaesthesia.

What is the difference between ureteroscopy and PCNL?

Ureteroscopy (URS) uses a thin scope through the urethra to access stones in the ureter or kidney — suitable for medium stones. PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) uses a small back puncture to remove large or complex stones directly.