How is the stone removed from the kidney?ĭr. Nowadays, endoscopes are available with a diameter of less than four millimetres, which means that we can also treat kidney stones very atraumatically with percutaneous procedures. In this procedure, the renal cavity system is surgically punctured to open a passage through which an endoscope is inserted into the kidney. If the stone in the kidney is too large for a flexible endoscopy, we perform a percutaneous endoscopy, commonly known as nephrolitholapaxy (or percutaneous nephrolithotomy). This endoscopic procedure can be done with a rigid endoscope or with a flexible endoscope, which allows a better view of the calices at the top of the kidney. This can be done in the form of what is known as a ureterorenoscopy, in which the natural passages in the body are used to pass through the bladder and ureter into the renal cavity system. Nowadays, we recommend endoscopic stone treatment in most cases. The disadvantage of this method is that not all patients pass the material particularly well. These then exit the body when the patient urinates. Here, the kidney stones are broken up into small pieces with shock waves. Up until the early 2000s, lithotripsy was the predominant therapy for stones. Immobile stones that are not simply passed are usually located in a renal calyx or in the peripheral areas of the bladder. Straub: Before embarking on any therapy, we need to remember that very many small stones, around 80 percent of all stones with a diameter of less than four millimetres, are passed without the need for an operation.

What different options for the treatment of kidney stones do you offer patients at your clinic?ĭr. Subsequent diagnosis is then carried out here using ultrasound and a CT scan. The specialist then determines that the patient has a stone in his kidney and refers him to us. Sometimes, a patient will initially consult a specialist for other symptoms, such as high blood pressure.

The Factory by Mikel Straub