The incidence of kidney stones is one of the most prevalent urological issues because millions of individuals across the globe develop it on a yearly basis. These are mineral and salts deposits that may cause severe pains, difficulties in urinating and at worst lead to complications when it is not treated. Smaller stones have a chance to pass by medication and hydration; whereas, bigger stones sometimes need an operative procedure.
Surgery on kidney stones has increased over the years. Patients do not need to make big incisions and extend recovery processes anymore. Modern operations are aimed towards less invasive surgeries, a quicker recovery, and increased success rate today. When it comes to the question of what the so-called new surgery on kidney stones involves, we should consider the latest urologic methods in a bit more detail.
The Old vs. The Modern Surgeries on Kidney Stones
The previously used treatment option of large or complex kidney stones was the open surgery. This required a very big cut in the back or abdomen and as a result it took longer time in hospital, caused much pain and carried with it high chances of complications.
Nevertheless, technologies have altered the approach of treating kidney stones by urologists. The contemporary solution entails endoscopic and minimally invasive methods with the application of high-tech equipment and images that enable the physician to treat stones efficiently with less damage to the body.
New and Developed Kidney Stones Surgery Treatments
1. Ureteroscopy plus Laser Lithotripsy
This is among the most trendy contemporary methods. A slender, steerable scope is known as a ureteroscope and is inserted inside the urinary tract to find the stone. After identification, laser is then used to blast the stone into small pieces that are broken and can be flushed away or they can be removed.
Advantages: No incision, little pain, quick healing, and in most cases, the patients get discharged on the same day.
Ideal in: Stones are found in ureter or kidney.
2. Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS)
RIRS has become one of the most sophisticated and popular “new surgeries” applied to kidney stones. The ureteroscope to be used is a fine tube, which is inserted into a kidney, and the finer technology of lasers is applied and used in the precise fragmentation of the stones into particles like dust.
Advantages: There is no external incision and it is very safe, has faster recuperation, and it is effective on inaccessible stones.
Ideal uses: Small- and medium-sized renal stones (in difficult to reach areas).
3. Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (Mini PCNL)
The surgery of large kidney stones which is PCNL is old established surgery but nevertheless the newly developed Mini PCNL surgery has changed the procedure. Rather than having a big incision, the back is punctured with a very small hole to enter into the kidney. It uses a small camera and instruments which are used to crack the stone and extract it.
Advantages: Low incision, less hemorrhage, less pain, shorter stay in the hospital than classical PCNL.
It is best to: Have large stones (>2 cm) or complicated kidney stones.
4. MicroPCNL, Ultra Mini PCNL
These are additional advancements of Mini PCNL procedure. With ultra-thin instruments, surgeons have been able to cure even big stones through less access points putting less pain to the patient and making treatment much faster.
Advantages: Extremely least invasive, less tissue harmful, less hospitalization.
Optimal in: Large and complex stones and keeping the maximum patient comfort.
5. SHOCK WAVES OF LITHOTRIPSY (SWL) METHOD
Using a SWL therapy, which is non-surgical treatment, patients can have a non-surgical treatment.
SWL, although not really surgery, is yet another recent technology that may be deemed as being part of the new wave of treatments. The extracorporeally emitted sound waves are directed to the kidney stone disrupting it through high energy into smaller fragments that can be passed through naturally.
Advantages: Not invasive at all, no surgery, no incisions, no scopes, outpatient medicine.
Optimal in: Small to medium-sized stones in the kidney are best suited.
What is So Great About These New Surgeries?
The “new” kidney stones surgeries are aimed at patient comfort and safety. And here is why they have become more favored than previous approaches:
- Minimally Invasive: Smaller incisions or no incisions will allow [you] to recover faster.
- Great success rate: Sophisticated imaging and laser technology offers the capability of removing all the stones.
- Less stay at the hospital: Lots of patients are discharged within a day or 24-48 hour period.
- Fewer Pain and complications: The patients undergo minimal pain as opposed to the open surgery.
- Rapid recovery of normal life: Majority of patients are able to revert to normal work in several days.
Why should anyone have surgical treatment of kidney stones?
Kidney stones do not suggest that every patient needs surgery. Surgical intervention could be suggested by doctors in case:
- Stones pass too big to pass naturally.
- Stones lead to recurrent infections or obstruction of the flow of urine.
- Pain is also very severe and in spite of medication.
- There is repeating or distant access to stones.
A urologist will check your condition through the imaging tests and prescribe the most adequate procedure in accordance with the size of the stone, its location and your health condition.
Survival Post Modern Kidney Stone Surgery
The easy recovery process is one of the brightest features of these new surgery types. Majority of patients are able to:
- Can leave home the same or next 1-2 days.
- Graduate back into light work 2-3 days.
- Back to work in one week (in most procedures).
- Have quite little scarring or no mark at all.
To avoid the recurrence of such cases, doctors will normally require a patient to stay well hydrated, eat kidney-friendly foods, and visit them regularly as part of the treatment measures.
Conclusion
The most recent procedures in management of kidney stone namely RIRS, Laser Lithotripsy, Mini PCNL and Micro PCNL have revolutionized how urologists approach the painful disease. The said procedures are not only safer, quicker, and much less invasive unless compared with standard practices but they also provide quality outcomes to the patient with minimal downtimes.
In case you or the one you love has kidney stones, it is time to turn to professionals and find a way to get rid of this ailment.
Dr. Deepanshu Gupta, who is found to be one of the best kidney stone doctors in Gurgaon, is specialized in advanced and minimally invasive procedures in case of kidney stones. Dr. Gupta has gained a lot of experience and focus on patient care that has enabled him to deliver safe and successful results to many patients.
Get in control of your kidney care now- visit Dr. Deepanshu Gupta and get your customized treatment and pain free future.