Laser surgery – stones and prostate

Laser Surgery for Stones

Kidney stones may develop due to crystallisation of certain components in urine. Some stones are small enough to pass out with the flow of urine, while large stones can lodge in some part of the urinary tract, blocking the passage of urine. This can lead to severe abdominal, lower back or groin pain, infection and kidney damage. Large kidney stones may be treated by breaking the stones into smaller fragments, so that they can easily pass out through the urine. This may be accomplished through minimally invasive surgery with the help of a laser.

The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Stones present in the ureters (tubes connecting your kidneys and bladder) or bladder are accessed through a tube (ureteroscope) inserted up your urinary passage. Stones present in the kidneys are usually accessed by making an incision in your back, through which a tube is inserted into your kidney. The inserted tube has a tiny port which contains the laser instrument used to fragment the stone. Using laser, the stone is broken down into smaller pieces. A stent may be placed temporarily to keep the passage open. The entire procedure may take an hour to perform.

As with any surgical procedure, laser treatment of stones may carry certain risks which include infection, bleeding or damage to the ureter.

Laser Surgery for the Prostate

Coming soon