New Delhi: Woke up with back pain that feels like being jabbed with a hot knife? That sharp, intense agony could be a kidney stone. This article highlights minimally invasive surgery options to tackle kidney stones and improve the quality of life. Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salt that form inside your kidneys. They can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a pebble, and when they move, the pain can be excruciating. Dr. Anil Bradoo, Consultant Urologist, Zen Annexe, Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai, listed some surgical options for people dealing with kidney stones.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
The symptoms of kidney stones are:
- Excruciating pain in the back or side
- Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen or groin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in urine
- Frequent or painful urination
Best surgical options for kidney stone patients
Due to the distressing symptoms, timely management of kidney stones becomes essential. The following are the minimally invasive surgeries for kidney stones.
- ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): A non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves to break down stones and improve the quality of life
- URS (Ureteroscopy): Here, a thin scope is used to remove or break the stone, and this procedure is also done in many patients.
- Flexible Ureteroscopy and RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): A thin, flexible scope is inserted through the urinary tract to reach and treat stones within the kidney
- MiniPERC (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): A minimally invasive procedure where a small puncture is made in the back to access and remove kidney stones.
- Tubeless PCNL: A variation of PCNL that minimizes the need for a nephrostomy tube after surgery.
- PCNL: Keyhole surgery for large staghorn stones
- Laparoscopic surgery: For large impacted pelvic or Ureteric stones
- Hydration and medications: Can be advised for small stones that can pass naturally.
- Holmium Laser Lithotripsy and Thulium fibre Lithotripsy techniques are used for dusting and fragmenting larger stones to enable them to be removed completely from very small access points.
Benefits of minimally invasive surgeries
Smaller incisions during surgery result in less scarring and a quicker healing process. Patients often experience a quicker return to normal activities without any discomfort. Smaller incisions tend to reduce the risk of infections. This minimises the need for antibiotics and other post-operative treatments. These surgeries involve less blood loss compared to traditional open surgery and other complications. Advanced surgical instruments and techniques provide surgeons with precision and control during the procedure, leading to successful outcomes.
The last word
The patient must undergo a minimally invasive procedure if advised by the doctor. Don’t worry or panic, as it is extremely effective and safe, and helps with successful patient outcomes.