PROCEDURES
KIDNEYS
NEPHRECTOMY
PCNL FOR STONE DISEASE
SWL FOR STONE DISEASE
URETEROSCOPY & LITHOTRIPSY FOR STONE DISEASE
URETEROSCOPY & LITHOTRIPSY FOR STONE DISEASE
OVERVIEW
Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where no incision is made. This is usually performed as an outpatient procedure during which a small scope is passed into the urinary tract to locate and remove stones.
In most cases, a ureteroscopy is used for stones that are in the tube that carries the urine from the kidney to the bladder, called a ureter. The procedure is especially useful for stones that are closer to the bladder, in the lower half of the ureter.
Ureteroscopy is done under general anaesthesia. Once sedated, Dr Singh will insert a tiny tube with a camera called a ureteroscope into your urethra. Dr Singh is able to visualise the kidney stone through the ureteroscope, and a special laser called a holmium laser breaks the stone into tiny pieces that can be easily passed through the urinary system. This is sometimes referred to as "stone dusting" or breaking the stone into minute fragments that resemble grains of sand. Stone dusting requires training and a special laser.
In some cases, Dr Singh will use a tiny wire “basket” that is passed via the scope through the bladder and into the ureter and/or kidney to grab and clear any remaining stone fragments. Ureteroscopy is appropriate for nearly all stones, but larger stones may require repeat procedures to clear the stone from the body completely.
After surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room to while the anaesthesia wears off. You may experience some pain when you urinate and see a little blood in your urine. With time and hydration, however, your urine will slowly turn from watermelon red to pink and then to clear. After that, there shouldn't be much pain or discomfort. Due to the usage of instruments, you will receive antibiotics to drink for 4-5 days to prevent a urinary tract infection from developing.
