Kidney stones form when the delicate balance between the water and electrolytes in the body is disrupted. Stones can cause tremendous pain, infection, kidney damage and even death. Because of these potential problems, most kidney stones need treatment (some small stones will pass on their own). In general, >99% of kidney stones can be treated in a minimally invasive fashion, without the need for open surgery. Using small endoscopes (fiberoptic camera systems) stones can be either grabbed and removed or broken up into small fragments with a laser or ultrasound device. Kidney stones are treated endoscopically in 2 ways under general anesthesia:

1. Ureteroscopy: A small (less than the diameter of a pencil) fiberoptic endoscope (ureteroscope) is passed into the bladder through the urethra (tube from the bladder where you urinate) up the ureter (tube from the kidney to the bladder). There is no incision. The ureteroscope is then directed to the stone for treatment using laser or other devices to break up the stone.



2. Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy (PCNL): A larger (3x the diameter of a pencil) fiberoptic endoscope (nephroscope) is passed through a tube, which has been inserted through a one-half inch incision in the back into the kidney. The nephroscope is then directed to the stone for treatment. An ultrasonic probe breaks up and suctions out the stone fragments. This method is usually reserved for larger stones in the kidney. 

Click on comprehensive stone clinic for more information about kidney stone treatment.