Laser Treatment For Kidney Stone

The presence of the Kidney Stones in the human body can cause immense pain and discomfort. It becomes necessary to get rid of the stones so that the usual activities of life continue uninterrupted. There are various ways to get rid of the stones. If the stone is larger and cannot be disposed of when urinating and is trapped in the urinary tract, so surgery becomes an easy option.

There are various types of treatments required, one of which is the Laser Kidney Stone Surgery. This method of procedure is minimally invasive in which the patient undergoes anaesthesia and a small lit device known as the Ureteroscope is inserted in the urethra and urinary bladder.

Holmium laser energy is passed to the stone by the tool, which is then split into pieces. A small basket is used to extract stones from the urethra and some pieces may pass through the urine. Advanced and more strong energy may be used to smash the stone into dust or powder. It, too, must move into the urine.

In order to ensure that the stones are entirely removed from the Kidney, a tube called a Stent is inserted between the Kidney and the Urethra. The time span for the stent to stay inside is 1-4 weeks after it is removed from the kidney. The stent also helps the kidney to drain when recovery is ongoing.

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How Does Laser Stone Surgery Work?

The surgery is minimally invasive and does not require any incisions to your body. When you're unconscious, a small lit device (ureteroscope) is placed in your urethra and bladder to reach your ureter and kidneys.

When a stone is seen, a laser fibre is used to transfer Holmium radiation to break up the kidney stones. The surgeon extracts a few pieces of the urethra with a small basket, and smaller pieces may be moved along later with urination. The surgeon can also use a high-powered holmium laser with high-frequency emissions that 'dust' the stones into a fine powder. After treatment, you can transfer the fine particles in your urine. An even more effective way to relay the holmium laser is by modulating the pulse using the Moses effect, which can result in more efficient stone dust or fragmentation.

The surgeon is expected to implant a tube called a stent between the kidney and the urethra. This encourages regeneration and helps small pieces of stone to move more quickly.

Most importantly, this stent helps the organs to drain through the recovery process. The stent is removed roughly 1 week after surgery. The time of operation is usually less than 1 hour, depending on the extent and number of your kidney stones. Using a dusting technique combined with the Moses effect can minimise the need to remove stones with a basket, thereby reducing the need to use a stent.

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What Happens On Surgery Day?

Your surgeon will give you detailed advice about what to do with your medicine and diet before the date of the surgery. Many laser kidney stone procedures are administered on an outpatient basis, so you can go home the same day.

You will have general anaesthesia, so you're going to sleep through surgery. This helps make sure you're actually in your body when the small instruments are inside. Newer lasers are accurate and strong, which will make it easier for the surgeon to control and fragment the stone. This helps and the duration of the surgery so that you can spend less time resting to get back to your normal routine faster.

After Surgery:

After laser treatment, you can still feel discomfort. If you have a stent between the kidney and the ureter, much of the discomfort is expected to come from the stent so it will rub the kidney or bladder. It will even make you feel like you ought to urinate, and it can create any blood in your urine. Men can also have pain in the penis or in the testicles.

Your doctor will prescribe medications after surgery. Generally, these may include an antibiotic to prevent infection, pain medication, and perhaps something to treat bladder spasms and burning with urination.

The next day, or as soon as you feel relaxed, you can resume daily activities. Skip high-intensity exercises before the stent is removed. Any pain drugs restrict driving activities, so review the notes on the label.

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What Follow-Up Care Will I Need?

About 1 week after surgery, you will see the surgeon or his assistants. If you have a stent, a small lighted instrument may be removed at this stage (cystoscope). This is done by your bladder again, and you will be woken up in the office. Sometimes, the stent stays longer if the surgeon thinks it's going to help with healing. You will remain in the stent for up to 3 months, but don't panic if your stent removal is postponed. The stent needs to be replaced, so don't hesitate to make a post-surgery appointment to remove it.

When the kidney stones have been removed, the surgeon may have sent one for examination. Based on the stone composition, the doctor will prescribe ways to avoid potential kidney stones. The doctor can also make suggestions on the basis of an examination of the urine. For example, your doctor might recommend that you make adjustments to your diet or take vitamins or medications.

Since kidney stones are a recurrent concern, they may be re-formed later in the future. You now know the signs and understand that successful therapies are available. Follow the advice of your urologist to help avoid possible kidney stones, and do not hesitate to make an appointment if symptoms return.

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Can The Stone Reoccur?

It is quite possible that the person who once had a kidney stone in his life will get it again. After the operation, the surgeon would give the stone to the laboratory for analysis. The composition of the stone is understood from the findings of the investigation. Further preventive steps will be advised by the doctor for prevention of the formation of stones. The most common suggestion under conditions is lifestyle changes and nutritional changes that can be adopted by the patient.

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Frequently Asked Questions