If you’re wondering what size kidney stone requires surgery, you’re not alone. Many people are unsure about the answer to this question.
At Urology Associates, we understand that kidney stones can be a burden. That’s why we’re here to provide you with the latest information on kidney stone treatment.
Keep reading to learn more about what size kidney stone requires surgery and how our team can help you.
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Introduction
Kidney stones are diagnosed by exclusion, which means that other causes of abdominal pain must be ruled out before a diagnosis of kidney stones can be made. Once other causes have been ruled out, imaging tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound can be used to confirm the presence of kidney stones. The size of the kidney stone is an important factor in determining whether or not surgery will be necessary to remove the stone.
Stones that are smaller than 4 mm in diameter will usually pass on their own, although this can take several weeks. Stones that are 4-6 mm in diameter may also pass on their own, but there is a greater risk that they will become stuck and require surgical intervention. Stones that are 6-8 mm in diameter have about a 50% chance of passing on their own and a 50% chance of requiring surgery. Stones that are 8 mm or larger almost always require surgery to be removed.
There are several different surgical options for removing kidney stones, and the choice of procedure will depend on the size and location of the stone as well as the overall health of the patient. Some procedures can be done on an outpatient basis while others require a hospital stay. The most common surgical methods for removing kidney stones are described below.
Ureteroscopy: This procedure is used to remove stones that are located in the ureter or kidney. A small telescope (ureteroscope) is inserted through the urethra and pass through the bladder into the ureter. The stone is then fragmented using lasers or sound waves and removed with special instruments. Ureteroscopy can be done on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This procedure is used to remove larger stones from the kidney. A small incision is made in the patient’s back and a tube (nephrostomy tube) is inserted through the incision into the kidney. The stone is then fragmented using lasers or sound waves and removed with special instruments. PCNL requires a hospital stay and is usually done under general anesthesia.
Laparoscopic surgery: This procedure is used to remove larger stones from patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia or who have other health conditions that make general anesthesia unsafe. A small incision is made in the patient’s abdomen and special instruments are used to remove the stone through this opening. Laparoscopic surgery requires a hospital stay but has a shorter recovery time than open surgery (described below).
Open surgery: This procedure (called open nephrolithotomy) involves making a large incision in the patient’s back to access the kidney directly. The stone is then removed with special instruments through this opening. Open surgery requires a longer hospital stay than laparoscopic surgery but may be necessary for very large stones or if other health conditions make laparoscopic surgery unsafe
What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. Your kidneys filter waste from your blood and make urine. Kidney stones can form if urine contains too much of certain substances that are normally found in the urine. Kidney stones are common. In fact, more than half of all people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.
There are different types of kidney stones. The most common type is made up of calcium and oxalate. Oxalate is a substance found in many foods. Other types of kidney stones include those made up of uric acid, struvite, or cystine.
A kidney stone may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. They can cause pain and block the flow of urine. If they do not cause pain, they usually do not need to be treated. If they cause pain or block the flow of urine, they may need to be removed with surgery or other treatments.
What are the symptoms of a kidney stone?
Kidney stones often cause no symptoms until they start to move down the ureters. This is when they can cause blockage, which leads to urinary symptoms. The most common symptom is severe pain that starts suddenly when a stone moves and blocks the ureter or renal pelvis. The pain is usually colicky, which means it comes in waves. It may radiate from the back and side of the kidney or abdomen to the groin. Urinary symptoms include:
– Blood in the urine (hematuria)
– Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
– Decrease in the amount of urine output (oliguria)
– Fever and chills
– Nausea and vomiting
How is a kidney stone diagnosed?
Kidney stones are usually diagnosed based on the symptoms they cause. If you have a kidney stone, your health care provider may ask for tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or X-ray of the kidney and urinary tract.
Blood and urine tests may also be done to help diagnose a kidney stone. These tests can show whether you have too much of the minerals that can form stones in your urine or whether your kidneys are filtering your blood properly.
What is the treatment for a kidney stone?
The type of treatment depends on the size of the stone.
– Small stones (less than 5 mm) that are not causing pain may pass on their own. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help them pass.
– Stones that are 6–10 mm are more likely to cause pain and will likely need treatment.
– Stones larger than 10 mm almost always need treatment.
Treatment options include:
– Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). This procedure uses sound waves to create vibrations that break up stones into smaller pieces that can be passed in your urine.
– Ureteroscopy. This procedure uses a Scope to break up and remove stones from the ureter or kidney.
– Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This procedure removes stones from the kidney through a small incision in your back.
When is surgery needed for a kidney stone?
Most kidney stones can be passed without surgery. However, surgery may be needed if the stone is too large to pass on its own, if it is causing severe pain or bleeding, or if it is blocking the urinary tract.
There are several surgical options for treating kidney stones. The type of surgery that is performed will depend on the size and location of the stone, as well as the health of the individual.
Ureteroscopy: This procedure involves inserting a small camera into the urinary tract in order to locate and remove the stone. It is often used for stones that are located in the ureter or kidney.
Lithotripsy: This procedure uses sound waves to break up the stone into smaller pieces that can then be passed through the urinary tract. It is often used for large stones that cannot be removed with ureteroscopy.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: This procedure involves making a small incision in the back and removing the stone through a tube. It is often used for large stones that cannot be treated with lithotripsy or ureteroscopy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no definitive answer as to what size kidney stone requires surgery. The size, shape, and location of the kidney stone all play a role in determining whether or not surgery will be necessary. If you are experiencing pain from a kidney stone, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.