Laser Treatment for Kidney Stone

Whenever urine becomes highly concentrated, minerals and acidic salts clump together and form a stone in the kidney. In general, they do not cause permanent damage, but they sometimes cause pain when passed through the urinary tract. When you have kidney stone symptoms and are experiencing kidney stone-related problems, you can contact Pune Institute of Nephro and Urology in Pune for laser treatment for kidney stones.

Chemical substances dissolved in urine form the stones in the kidneys. These substances form stones in a permanent form that crystallises at a certain concentration level. To get the most effective kidney stone treatment in Pune, everyone needs to get the proper diagnosis for their medical problem. Here is where you can check out the Pune Institute of Nephro and Urology clinic.

One of the most common symptoms is pain that usually occurs on the side of the abdomen and is often accompanied by nausea.

During treatment, pain relievers are taken, and plenty of water is consumed to help the stone pass through the urine. Occasionally, medical intervention is needed to dissolve or eliminate larger stones.

Read on to find out how lithotripsy works, its risks, side effects, and limitations.

How is laser kidney stone treatment performed?

Laser surgery, also known as lithotripsy, is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require you to make any incisions. A kidney stone, gallbladder stone, or ureter stone may be broken with this. If medication does not solve the problem, lithotripsy can break the stones into smaller pieces, which then pass through the urine.

The urethra and bladder are inserted with a lighted instrument called a ureteroscope to determine whether stones are present in the ureter and kidney. Laser light is allowed to pass through your kidney stones using the laser fiber once the stone’s position has been determined. Urosurgeons remove some pieces through the urethra with small baskets, and more minor details can be passed through urination later on. Surgical techniques sometimes use holmium lasers that emit high-frequency radiation that breaks stones into powder. Once the stones are broken up into powder, they can be easily removed through the urine.

An intracorporeal stent is placed between the kidney and the urethra to promote healing and facilitate stone passage. In addition, the stent makes it so your kidney can drain while it heals. This follows the stent being removed after 1 week.

There can be differences in the length of laser surgery depending on the size and number of stones. It usually lasts one hour.

The two types of lithotripsies are:
  • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
  • flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. (FURSL)

Using either of these procedures can offer quick and effective relief from bothersome stones. An individual’s health status and the type of stone they have will impact what kind of treatment a doctor recommends. 

1. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) machine

Stones are broken down using shockwaves created by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy machines. Sound waves are used to target the stones during this procedure with a device called a lithotripter. During this procedure, small pieces of stone are broken down by sound waves. The waves cannot damage muscle, bone, or skin because the waves only change stones. Most people undergo the procedure in a hospital, and the process generally takes about an hour. You can usually go home on the same day that you undergo it. Over days or weeks, a patient should pass the stone particles through urination after the therapy. 

2. Flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURSL)

Laser lithotripsy is also known as the FURSL method (flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy) because a flexible ureteroscope is used as part of the procedure. An endoscope is used to treat stones within the ureter during this procedure. Endoscopes are flexible tubes fitted with lighting and cameras that enable surgeons to view inside organs and body cavities. By using an endoscope, the surgeon can see the stones, and by using a laser, he can break them down. Nearly everyone can go home the same day after performing the method. It takes about 30 minutes. Once the process is complete, any remaining broken stones will be eliminated through urine.

If necessary, a kidney surgeon inserts a ureteroscope into the bladder and up into the ureter and kidney for FURSL. If any stones are detected, a laser is used to destroy them.

Risks and side effects

  • After lithotripsy, a person often experiences staining and tenderness. An infection can manifest as a fever or a chill, so a person should see a surgeon.
  • Lithotripsy rarely leads to heavy bleeding.
  • A blockage in the ureter may result from stone fragments getting stuck. A physician might conduct a further procedure with a ureteroscope to remove the fragments in such cases.
  • An obstruction might also be a symptom of chronic pain. If they do not get released after taking pain medication or experiencing severe pain, the person should see a physician.

Limitations

  • There is no cure for large stones and hard stones with lithotripsy. As the shock waves may not reach the stones in overweight people, ESWL may not be effective.
  • For pregnant women, doctors caution against using the lithotripsy method due to the risk of harming the fetus.
  • Occasionally, doctors may be required to use more than one process to dissolve stones. In other instances, they may place a stent and remove it once the stone fragments have passed.

Precautions after surgery?

Following surgery, a patient may feel a small degree of pain. Symptoms of polycystic kidney disease also include frequent urination and a sense of urgency.

The doctor will prescribe medications to prevent infection, relieve pain, and possibly relieve bladder spasms and burning during urination. This medication should be followed closely by the patient.

In order to lubricate the stent and encourage any smaller stones to move from the kidney, the patient is instructed to drink a considerable amount of water. He should also refrain from vigorous or advanced exercise before removing the stent. A doctor may also suggest dietary changes, supplements, or medications help prevent kidney stone problems in the future.

Why Choose Us?

A leading kidney stone treatment clinic in Pune offers advanced kidney stone treatment. Doctors at the Pune Institute of Nephro and Urology specialize in kidney stones. Their expertise lies in diagnosing kidney stones and treating them properly. Among the procedures, he uses for stone removal are ureteroscopy and lithotripsy.

FAQ’s:

You don’t have to make an incision during the procedure, which is minimally invasive. The ureter and kidney are accessed using a lighted instrument (ureteroscope) while you are asleep.

As soon as the stone is identified, holmium energy is transmitted through a laser fiber to break up the stone. Bypassing a small basket through the urethra, the surgeon removes some pieces, and smaller fragments can be passed through urination later. An alternative technique involves using a high-power holmium laser with high-frequency emissions to crush the stones to a fine powder. This fine powder can then be passed through the urine days following surgery. Modulating the pulse with the Moses effect could make it even more efficient at transmitting the holmium laser, resulting in more effective stone dusting.

Between the kidney and urethra, a tube called a stent is likely to be inserted by the surgeon. The stent can gradually loosen the stone and make it easier to pass. However, this stent must allow for kidney drainage during the healing process. Approximately one week after surgery, the stent is removed. Depending on the size and number of kidney stones, the procedure usually lasts less than one hour. Using the dusting technique in conjunction with the Moses effect, there will be no need to use a basket to remove stones, thus minimizing the need for a stent.

Before the procedure, your surgeon will provide specific instructions on taking your medications and managing your diet. Laser kidney stone treatments are performed as outpatient procedures so that you can leave the hospital the same day.

You will be asleep during surgery because of general anesthesia. The small instruments can then be inserted inside you while you remain still. The newer lasers are powerful and precise, making it easier for the surgeon to manipulate, fragment, and remove the stone. By reducing the time of your surgery, you will need to spend less time asleep, thus getting back to normal more quickly.

After laser surgery, it is possible for you to feel pain still. Since a stent can rub on the kidney and bladder, most pain will probably come from the stent between the kidney and the ureter. In addition to making you feel the need to urinate, it can also cause some blood in your urine. Males may experience discomfort in their penis or testicles as well.

Your doctor will prescribe medications after surgery. These medicines are generally antibiotics to prevent infection, painkillers, and perhaps something that treats burning while urinating or bladder spasms.

To encourage stones to move from the kidney, drink plenty of water to lubricate the stent. Keep a bathroom close by since you will probably need to urinate more frequently.

Upon feeling comfortable, you can resume your regular activities the next day. Wait until after your stent is removed before doing high-intensity workouts. Pain medications can restrict certain activities such as driving, so check the label for warnings. Make sure you follow any additional recommendations provided by your doctor.

After surgery, you will see your surgeon or his assistants approximately one week later. You will also be asked to remove any stent you have with a lighted instrument (cystoscope) at this point. As with the previous procedure, this can also be done in the office while you are awake through your bladder.

 If your surgeon believes the stent will facilitate healing, he may decide to leave it in place for a more extended period of time. As long as the stent is in place for three months, you won’t need to worry about it being removed sooner. It is necessary to have the stent removed after surgery, so don’t forget to make an appointment to remove it.

A kidney stone will have been sent for analysis by the surgeon after removing it. As your doctor determines the composition of the rock, he will recommend ways to prevent further kidney stones. Based on the analysis of your urine, he may also recommend ways to avoid additional kidney stones if your doctor suggests that you change your diet or take supplements or medications, for example.

 

Considering kidney stones are chronic, they may form again in the future. Understanding the symptoms and knowing that there are effective treatments will help you. Make an appointment with your urologist if symptoms return so you can prevent future kidney stones.