Renal Stones – Medical Therapy and Surgical Options

In this article, we’ll discuss the treatment options for renal or kidney stones, including medical therapy and surgical options. Keep reading to learn more.

Key takeaways

• Most smaller stones can pass out naturally through urine with proper hydration and medication.
• Surgical treatment options for renal stones include ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
• The type of treatment depends on the stone’s type, size, and location.
• For a detailed assessment and treatment plan it is recommended to consult a urologist.

What are renal stones?

Renal stones are hard objects that can form over time due to a buildup of chemicals in the urine.

Probable causes of renal stones include poor hydration, lack of exercise, obesity, or excess intake of sugar or salt.

They can impact one or both kidneys. According to the NHS, renal stones are quite common, affecting 1 in 10 people, most often those of 30 to 60 years of age.

Renal stones can vary in sizes from small to large. Smaller stones can sometimes pass out naturally through urine. 

Larger stones, however, need medical interventions including surgery (if necessary) for extraction. If left untreated, they can impair kidney function, lead to kidney damage, or infection.

Types of renal stones

There are four major types of renal stones:

1. Uric acid
2. Struvite
3. Calcium oxalate
4. Cystine

Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of renal stones (accounting for 80% of all cases).

Symptoms of kidney stones

The common symptoms of kidney stones are as follows:

• Sharp pain on the side and back
• Urinating more often than usual
• An urgent need to urinate
• Dark urine or blood in urine (hematuria)
• Vomiting or nausea

Also Read: Do Energy Drinks Cause Kidney Stones?

Treatment options

Treatment of kidney stones depends on the stone’s type, size, and location. It includes medical therapy and surgical options. Medical therapy includes hydration and medications for kidney pain management.

Surgical options include ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for larger stones.

Medical therapy for smaller stones

Medical therapy includes non-invasive treatments for smaller stones to facilitate their removal through urine without surgery.

You may be prescribed medication such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to deal with kidney pain.

The doctor may recommend certain lifestyle adjustments such as staying hydrated, as adequate fluid intake dilutes the urine and aids the removal of stones from the body.

Potassium citrate may be indicated to alkalize the urine and stop further stone development.

Non-invasive procedures

With adequate hydration and medication, most small renal stones can be flushed out through urine in a few weeks. If not, certain non-invasive procedures can be carried out by the urologist such as ESWL.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that breaks up kidney stones using shockwaves. It is typically reserved for smaller stones less than 10 mm in size.

Surgical treatment for larger stones

When kidney stones grow in size, they cause intense pain and disrupt the kidneys’ functions. Such stones may require surgical interventions to be removed.

1. Ureteroscopy

During a ureteroscopy, the urologist takes detailed images of the kidney and ureter lining using a ureteroscope.

After identifying the stone, the urologist can fragment or remove it. These procedures are carried out under general anesthesia so you’ll be asleep during the procedure.

2. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

To perform the PCNL procedure, urologists use a small optical instrument called a nephroscope to locate and extract the kidney stone. The urologist makes a small incision in your back to insert the nephroscope directly into the kidney.

The urologist might also use a laser to fragment large kidney stones into small parts.

After the surgery, the urologist might place a slim, flexible tube called a ureteral stent in the urinary tract to aid healing and drainage.

Conclusion

Several options are available to treat kidney stones, such as medical therapy, non-invasive procedures such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), and surgical treatments including ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

You can book an appointment with a urologist through oladoc for a detailed assessment of your condition. After the preliminary evaluation through diagnostic tests, your urologist can recommend the most appropriate treatment suited for your case.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is IV therapy for treating kidney stones?

When usual oral hydration is inadequate, IV therapy can be used to provide the body with adequate fluids, increase urine output, and promote the passage of stones through urine.

2. What are the side effects of lithotripsy?

Generally, lithotripsy is considered to be a safe procedure. However, minor bruising, soreness, or redness may occur in some individuals following the procedure. You may also experience a burning sensation when you urinate or have a more frequent urge to urinate.