When the kidney stone such as staghorn kidney stone does not pass even
after undergoing all the other primary treatments, then surgery is needed
to remove those kidney stones.
If the kidney stone is too large which results in problems like bleeding
due to damage of kidney tissue, frequent urinary track infections, blocking
of urine flow or any continuous discomfort, then the patient is recommended
to undergo surgery to remove the stones.
Preparing
the Patient to Surgery for Kidney Stone Removal
If the patient has smoking habit or consumes birth control pills, then
the patient has to stop it one month before the surgery.
Consuming of blood thinners should be stopped three days before the surgery.
Blood tests should be taken and Doctor’s specifications such as time
for food consumption before surgery, arranging donor for blood transfusion
should be followed. Finally, hydration therapy must be done before surgery.
Procedures
of the Surgery for Kidney Stone Removal
There are four types of surgery procedures for removing the kidney stones.
They are:
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy Procedure (ESWL) – In
this procedure, non-electrical shock wave is sent through the body to
the infected area to shatter the stone to a sand-like structure and pass
it.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL) – If the kidney stone is
located in a place which is difficult to reach by non-electrical shock
waves, then this procedure makes a tunnel to the kidney through an incision
at the back; the stone location is found out and removed using nephroscope.
• Ureteroscopic Stone Removal – In this procedure, an ureteroscope
is passed into the ureter and the stones are shattered using a shockwave
producing equipment or removed using a cage-like device. A stent is left
in the uterus to heal uterus lining.
• Open Surgery – In open surgery, the infected area is cut open
and the kidney stones are removed completely. A medicine composed of thrombin,
cryoprecipitate, indigo carmine and calcium chloride is injected into
the affected part. It forms a jelly like cover enclosing all the kidney
stones which is then removed through an incision made by the doctor in
the kidney. Open surgery is also called incisional surgery.
• Coagulum Pyeloloithotomy – This is a least used procedure.
It uses antibiotic to remove the kidney stones.
Advantages
of Surgery for Kidney Stone Removal
This surgery reduces the possibility of fever and infection. It relives
the patient from pain which might be caused due to kidney stones such
as lower abdominal pain, pain while passing urine etc. It also cures Hematuria
i.e. bleeding while passing urine.
Recovery
and Precautions after the Surgery for Kidney Stone Removal
For proper recovery after the surgery, the patient should take proper
diet and medicine for preventing stone formation. Patient must meet the
Doctor for regular check-ups. Patient should drink minimum 12 glasses
of water daily to avoid formation of kidney stone.
