RIRS is a great advancement in urology that has gained much recognition for the treatment of kidney stones. Many patients question whether RIRS should be considered a procedure that qualifies under major surgeries, especially given the severity of kidney stones. In this find out more about the classification, steps, after care, and the reason for it being a procedure with minor invasion compared to the traditional methods of surgeries.
What is RIRS?
Retrograde intrarenal surgery or RIRS is a modern, less invasive approach that facilitates the treatment of kidney stones situated in the kidneys and in the upper parts of the ureter. According to the terms, a flexible ureteroscope is used to reach the kidney from the bladder and the urethra which means it is passed through the urinary tract. Once the stone is found, it is shattered into smaller pieces using lasers- Holmium bi-polar YAG laser. The laser is then removed through natural flushing or other advanced tools.
What Qualifies as Major Surgery?
Usually when a procedure consists of the following, it can be called major surgery:
An open kidney stone surgery like percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) or open pyelolithotomy falls under this category due to its invasive nature. Nevertheless, RIRS has minimal incisions with quicker recovery time, which flips the narrative of the aforementioned reasoning.
Is RIRS a Major Surgery?
RIRS isn’t perceived as a technique, rather it an art and so it is not deemed major surgery. Here’s why it’s considered as a routine and simple technique:
- No Cuts: RIRS is a simple and straight forward route without any traditional surgical procedures, hence there is no cutting or stitching.
- Fast Recovery: People healed in a matter of days and then returned to their normal life, for the most part, clinicians report fast recuperation for most of their patients.
- An Outpatient Treatment: With the a few side effects such as bleeding or infections, RIRS can easily be performed on an outpatient basis.
How is RIRS Performed?
RIRS consists out of a few crucial steps that are followed with great diligence and care.
1. Pre-procedure Preparations
In alphabetical order, blood tests, urine tests, and imaging such as CT scans or ultrasounds will provide needed information on the size, position, and types of kidney stones in order to properly evaluate the patient.
2. During the Procedure
The patient is given either general or spinal anesthesia to keep the patient at ease.
A flexible ureteroscopy with a camera is now brought through the urinary tract and is aimed at the kidney.
With the help of high resolution images, the surgeon is now capable of identifying where the kidney stone is located.
The stone is then broken down into smaller particles with the use of a laser. The produced fragments are either extracted with tools or allowed to pass with urination.
The placement of a temporary stent in the ureter may be necessary to assist the ureter in healing and passing the stone fragments.
3. Post-procedure Care
Patients are required to stay for a couple of hours for observation and are then released when their condition is no longer concerning.
Pain killers and strength reducers as well as antibiotics, among other medications, may be prescribed.
Encouraging sufficient fluid intake is useful to aid in clearing any remaining stone fragments.
Who Suits RIRS?
RIRS is best suited for patients who:-
- Have kidney stones which are unresponsive to other methods, for instance shock wave lithotripsy (SWL).
- Have stones situated in the deeper, hard to reach, regions of the kidney.
- Have bleeding concerns that pose risks for surgical procedures.
- Are young or old patients that require a much more toned down treatment.
- Possess a single kidney or other abnormalities of the anatomy.
The Advantages of RIRS Compared to Major Surgeries
1. RIRS does not require any abdominal incisions, which leads to less pain, scarring, and shorter recovery periods.
2. RIRS has attained advanced imaging and laser technology that allows precise removal of stones, even from difficult to reach locations.
3. Most patients are able to return to their normal routines within a few days of undergoing RIRS.
4. Onad surgeries come with a high risk of postoperative complications like bleeding, infections, or damage to organs. RIRS, on the other hand, minimizes the possibility of such hazards.
5. RIRS can be performed on patients that suffer from obesity, bleeding disorders, or other health issues.
What should you be mindful of after RIRS?
The recovery process after RIRS is both straightforward and straightforwardly manageable:
- A mild to moderate sensation of discomfort might arise as a side effect in some patients. In the long run, it should smoothen out.
Patients should ingest pain medications and RIRS recommended fluids.
- After being discharged, the patient might require an appointment after a certain period of time to ensure that the attempted stone removal did not leave any stones behind.
- Switching to healthy meals and consuming large amounts of fluid on the other hand will help in ensuring that the kidney stones do not return.
Potential Risks and Complications
Even though RIRS as a procedure can be considered relatively safe, risks are always present with any medical intervention. These more rare critiques can range from:
- Infection of the urinary tract system (UTI).
- Temporary blood presence in the urine, otherwise known as hematuria.
- Slight pain in the ureter area because of stent.
Always staying in touch with your urologist can help tend to issues that arise them before they worsen.
Why Choose RIRS?
Because of the unique benefits that RIRS presents, it has become a preferred option for the treatment of stones in the kidney:-
- Unloading human effort on a daily basis.
- Great success in stoning of different sizes and locations.
- Reduced inpatient turn over and treatment charges.
Choosing the Right Urologist
The outcome of RIRS varies significantly with the type of urologist and medical facility used. While looking for a urologist, it is important to think about:
- The urologist’s experience and successes with RIRS.
- Presence of sophisticated equipment like flexible ureteroscopes and Holmium lasers.
- Ability to provide complete care during and after the procedure.
- You do not have to search too far regarding RIRS Urologists in Gurgoan where the world-class medical facilities have made it easy.
Closing Thoughts
Though RIRS is not an intensive procedure, it is an efficient way to solving kidney stones. It surgery able to treat stones in an efficient way while ensuring safety and faster recover, which is why many patients prefer it over traditional methods.
If your health concern relates to kidney stones, the first thing you need to do is consult a qualified urologist who may consider RIRS as a potential treatment option. This advanced technique is not only therapeutic but also allows one to resume routine activities almost immediately.
These pieces of information will aid you in making the right choices as far as your health is concerned, thus facilitating a better recovery.
Contact Us At CureStone
The well-regarded urologist Dr. Deepanshu Gupta specializes in diagnosing and treating multiple urological conditions. Through advanced training and many years of medical practice he excels in performing minimally invasive surgeries and endourological treatments and laparoscopic procedures which provide his patients access to up-to-date urological treatment.
Under his patient-centered methodology Dr. Gupta focuses on developing unique treatment plans which match each individual patient’s individual needs. His specialty area covers kidney stone care and prostate disorders alongside urinary tract infection treatment and expertise in male infertility and urological cancer management. His expertise includes robotic-assisted surgeries allowing accurate surgery techniques with both rapid recovery dynamics and minimal side effects.
Dr. Gupta actively supports lifelong medical education to stay abreast of modern medical discoveries while he adopts research-based treatment approaches.
Contact right away with Dr. Deepanshu Gupta at CureStone to benefit from his expertise.