Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney Stone Treatment

Recently Answered

  • QWhat are the risks of ESWL for kidney stones?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Kidney Foundation
    A answered
    The main risk of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stones is that it doesn't always work. After ESWL, about 50% of people will be free of kidney stones within a month. In others, stone fragments of various sizes remain, and a repeat procedure (or a different procedure) is needed.

    ESWL has the potential to cause kidney injury. Whether or not ESWL causes or leads to the development of high blood pressure and diabetes remains controversial. These possibilities are still being studied. You should ask your doctor about risks and benefits of ESWL in your situation.
  • QWill I need to be in a hospital to have large kidney stones removed?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Kidney Foundation
    A answered
    The procedures used to remove large kidney stones -- percutaneous nephrolithotomy and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy -- require general anesthesia and a short hospital stay, usually two or three days. The recovery time takes a week or so. Depending on the position of the stone, the procedure itself takes about 20 to 45 minutes. The goal is to take out all of the stones so that none are left to pass through the urinary tract.
  • QWhat can I expect after my kidney stone is removed?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Jayram Krishnan, DO - Las Vegas, NV - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    What Can I Expect after My Kidney Stone Is Removed?
    After a kidney stone is removed, your doctor will perform a series of tests that will help tailor your diet for future prevention, says Jayram Krishnan, DO, a urologist at Sunrise Hospital. In this video, he explains what each test analyzes.
  • QHow are stones outside of the kidney treated?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Jayram Krishnan, DO - Las Vegas, NV - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    How Are Stones Outside of the Kidney Treated?
    Once a stone leaves the kidney, where it might lodge in the ureter determines treatment, says Jayram Krishnan, DO, a urologist at Sunrise Hospital. In this video, he explains when ureteroscopy might be needed.
  • QWhy are kidney stones not removed when a stent is inserted into the kidney?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    Stents are inserted to unblock a ureteral stone, often in the setting of emergency for infection or pain. 
     
    For instance if the kidney is infected, a doctor won’t want to perform lithotripsy so they may put in a stent to drain it and then return when the infection has settled. They can also be used to relieve severe pain until lithotripsy can be performed.
     
  • QCan alkaline water be used to treat kidney stones?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    Drinking alkaline water is a popular internet remedy for kidney stones but the effects on kidney stones are uncertain. 
     
    Instead we use potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to put your kidney in an alkaline state, which can help dissolve uric acid stones or prevent calcium stones.  
  • QCan drinking dark beer help pass a kidney stone?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    It is not a good idea to drink vast amounts of dark beer to help pass a kidney stone, although alcohol is a diuretic. It is important to be careful regarding the herbal remedies you see on the Internet.
  • QWhat tools are used to remove a large kidney stone during surgery?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    During PCNL to remove a large kidney stone, doctors can advance a larger camera directly into the kidney. Since the procedure provides direct access into the kidney, doctors can use larger instruments to remove larger stones. Most commonly used are an ultrasound  that can grind the stone up and suction it out, or a pneumatic device that operates like a jackhammer to shatter hard stones along with a variety of graspers to remove the pieces through the sheath in your back. The surgeon will usually have all these devices at his or her disposal and will use whatever works best for the type of stone.

    This procedure is often done in the hospital with an overnight stay because it is invasive.
  • QHow are large kidney stones removed?
    3 Answers
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    To remove a large kidney stone, doctors perform a procedure called a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Doctors incise a ½” tunnel into the kidney through your back, and through that hole they advance a plastic or a metal sheath to give them access straight into your kidney. Through this tunnel they can then use the appropriate instruments. With this procedure, doctors can clear a stone quickly and effectively.
    See All 3 Answers
  • QWhat is lithotripsy?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Gregory S. Jack, MD - Santa Monica, CA - Urology
    A Urology, answered on behalf of
    Lithotripsy -- litho (stone) and tripsy (break) -- is any way of saying “to break a stone”. It can refer to any energy source or procedure that is used to break up a stone. The most common energy sources used today are acoustic shock waves (ESWL), laser energy, and pneumatic energy.