Kidney

Lithotripsy and stone retrieval (retrograde)

If you have been diagnosed with kidney stones, your doctor may recommend retrograde stone retrieval. During this procedure, a surgical tool called a ureteroscope, which comprises a light and a camera, is inserted into the urethra and guided into the kidney. Once the ureteroscope is inside the kidney, your doctor will be able to perform a procedure called lithotripsy, during which sound waves are used to break up the kidney stones into small pieces. Once the kidney stones have been broken up, the small pieces can be passed out of the body through urination.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure that is performed for the removal of kidney stones. During the procedure, your doctor will make a small incision in the back before inserting a special surgical tool called a nephroscope into the body. The nephroscope is used to remove the kidney stones, or to carefully crush them into smaller pieces, making them easier to extract. After the surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for up to three days while you recover. During this time, your doctor will monitor your progress and ensure you are healing properly before you are able to go home.