Kidney stones are the most common urological problem. These hard stones, if not treated immediately, can cause severe pain and difficulty urinating. They may also lead to infection.
Larger stones, however, may need medical treatment. RIRS Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery is one of the most trusted and effective procedures for removing kidney stones. The procedure is safer, with fewer cuts and a faster recovery than older surgical methods
So, in this blog, we will explore why RIRS is considered the best treatment for kidney stones and what makes it different from other options.
What is RIRS?
This is a modern procedure used to treat kidney stones. It is performed with the help of a flexible ureteroscope that is passed through the urinary passage to reach the stone directly. Once the stone is found, a laser is used to break it into smaller pieces, which can either be removed or left to pass naturally with urine.
Advantages of RIRS Over Traditional Methods
There are many advantages of new technologies over traditional methods
- No cuts or scars – done through natural urinary passage
- Minimal blood loss – unlike open surgery or PCNL
- Day-care procedure – hospital stay is usually less than 24–48 hours
- Quick healing – faster return to normal life
Why RIRS is the Best Option for Kidney Stones
RIRS has many advantages over other treatments for kidney stones
1. No Cuts, No Stitches
In comparison to open surgery, RIRS does not involve any external cuts. The entire procedure is done internally, so after surgery visible scar, and the patient experiences less trauma.
2. Safe and Highly Effective
This treatment uses the latest laser technology to break stones into extremely small pieces, hence almost complete removal of stones. It is also very effective for stones in hard-to-reach areas.
3. Quick Recovery & Short Hospital Stay
The patient mostly gets discharged within 24 hours and can perform normal activities within a few days, unlike open surgery, where recovery takes time.
4. Less Pain
Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients experience far less pain compared to PCNL or open surgery.
5. High Success Rate
RIRS provides a very high stone-free rate, reducing the chances of recurrence.
Who Should Choose RIRS?
RIRS is recommended for:
- Stones greater than 1.5–2 cm
- Patients with many stones or stones in difficult locations
- Those with medical conditions that do not allow open surgery
- Children and elderly patients where safety is a priority
- Patients who had a recurrence of kidney stones after other treatments
How is RIRS Performed? (Step by Step)
- Anesthesia – General or spinal anesthesia is given for comfort
- Ureteroscope insertion – A small flexible scope is placed through the urinary tract to the kidney
- Stone location – The surgeon identifies the exact location of the stone with the help of a camera
- Laser fragmentation – The stone is broken into tiny pieces using a urological laser
- Removal or natural passage – The small pieces are either taken out with special tools or left to pass naturally through urine
RIRS vs Other Kidney Stone Treatments
- RIRS vs PCNL → PCNL involves a small cut in the back, while RIRS is completely cut-free and less invasive.
- RIRS vs ESWL (Shockwave Therapy) → ESWL works for small stones but is less effective for larger ones, while RIRS can handle stones 2 cm.
- RIRS vs Open Surgery → Open surgery is rarely needed now due to high risks and longer recovery; RIRS is safer and quicker.
The conclusion of the article is:
The treatment RIRS is one of the safest and most effective treatments for kidney stones. It offers both advanced technology and patient comfort. The RIRS procedure does not involve any external cuts or stitching, so there is less blood loss and a reduced amount of discomfort.
A major advantage of the RIRS treatment is that it has a rapid recovery time. Within a few weeks, patients can resume normal activities. It is particularly useful for those who work in the workplace and for elderly patients, as well as children. Lasers are used with precision to break down kidney stones and remove them completely. This gives RIRS an extremely high success rate when compared to alternative treatment methods.
For the write guide contact, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta, an experienced urologist with more than 12 years of experience, provides individual treatment to the patients depending on their conditions, which makes him the best choice for the RIRS treatment in Gurgaon.