Kidney Stone Removal

Intense pain, difficulty urinating, and nausea are all common signs of obstructing urinary stones. Often, depending upon the size and location of the stone, some of them pass away with plenty of fluid and time, but symptoms that refuse to go away may indicate a larger stone, or a smaller, severely obstructing stone. Such a stone in a diabetic can be hazardous if left untreated. Fortunately today, numerous methods are available to treat these stones, and almost all can be done in an outpatient setting. If you’re in the South Florida area and need your stone related pain checked out, call Dr. Sanjay Razdan at his office in Miami, Florida, to schedule your consultation or request an appointment. Dr. Shirin Razdan is considered one of the best new robotic urologic surgeons in the United States, who cares for patients with a range of urologic conditions, including enlarged prostate symptoms, kidney stones, kidney tumors, and prostate cancer.

In the US, kidney stones affect nearly 1 in 10 adults, with the prevalence rising from 8.5% to over 11% in recent years. Factors like dehydration, obesity, and diet can significantly increase the risk of kidney stones, and men are slightly more affected than women. In Robotic and minimally invasive kidney stone surgeries, the success rate is 87% to 90%, with faster recovery and minimal discomfort.

Kidney Stones Q & A

 

What are kidney stones?

Normally, metabolic byproducts are secreted by the kidney into the urine, and they stay dissolved in it. Sometimes, when the concentration of these substances goes higher than the threshold level, they can precipitate and form stones. The most common culprits are calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Such a situation is then an ideal one for stone formation. In contrast to the common belief, kidney stones once formed don’t dissolve, and they can either stay in the kidney and keep growing there or may migrate down the tubes called ureters to be eventually expelled out or to reach and stay in the bladder. The possibility of these migrating stones getting stuck in the ureter always exists.

What can cause kidney stones?

While there is no single cause of kidney stones, there are a few common risk factors that contribute to their formation.

• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Poor dietary habits
• Consistently low urine volume
• Persistent diarrhea
• Obesity
• Family history of renal stones
• Some metabolic diseases like hyperuricemia, renal tubular acidosis, parathyroid enlargement, etc.
• Prolonged state of being bedridden
• excessive consumption of red meat
• certain medications

Kidney stones are divided into four types based on how they are formed:

Calcium stones

The most common kind of kidney stone is made of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. An excessive amount of calcium in urine can lead to its precipitation, increasing the risk of symptomatic stone formation. Even with normal amounts of calcium, there can be conditions which can lead to stone formation.

Struvite stones

These stones occur as a response to urinary tract infections and can grow quickly without warning. Some bacteria change the acidity level of urine and produce an environment congenial for stone formation. Since these stones grow slowly, they are often without symptoms and hence are diagnosed late when the stone is large. Patients with long term tubes in the urinary system, incomplete emptying of the bladder, neurological diseases, etc, predispose individuals to form this kind of stone.

Uric acid stones

Uric acid stones form if one does not keep themselves hydrated enough for long periods of time. Uric acid is poorly soluble in urine and needs a lot of fluids to stay dissolved. Acidic volume urine is the perfect recipe for these stones to form. A high-protein diet can also contribute to the formation of uric acid stones.

Cystine stones

The rarest type of kidney stone occurs if you have a hereditary disorder known as cystinuria, which leads to unusually high levels of an amino acid known as cystine in your urine.

What are the main symptoms of kidney stones?

Kidney stones can stay undiagnosed as they may cause no discomfort. Obstruction to the flow of urine anywhere in the tract by stones causes intense spasmodic pain and various other symptoms:

• Pain in your flank
• Radiating pain along your abdomen and groin
• Discolored urine (typically red or brown)
• Increased need to urinate
• Pain during urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills or fever in severe cases

Diagnosis

Stones are found when tests are undertaken during a routine health examination. With symptoms, an ultrasound or CT scan can help come to a diagnosis.

How are kidney stones treated?

Small non-obstructing stones can be safely observed under the guidance of a urologist.

It is important that a large or symptomatic stone be removed to preserve the functioning capacity of the kidney. Prolonged obstruction to the flow of urine may cause permanent damage to the kidney. In diabetics, stones can cause obstruction associated with infection, potentially leading to a serious condition.

Various methods to treat kidney stones are:

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

In extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), Dr. Razdan uses electromagnetic shock waves to break the kidney stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary tract. This procedure is suitable only for certain specific stones at convenient locations. Besides the location, other determinants for the use of this modality are size, stone composition, and body habitus of the patient. Often, a stent is passed before therapy to facilitate the stone fragment getting expelled from the body.

Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy is used to treat small stones, especially in the ureter. Using a small camera called a ureteroscope, introduced through the normal urethra, Dr. Razdan locates the stone and uses lasers to either remove the stone or break it into passable pieces. Use of a laser is harmless to the patient, and the primary advantage is that it does not necessitate admission to the hospital.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

An ideal approach for large stones in the kidney. A larger telescope is passed through a small incision on the back, through which either laser or ultrasound waves are passed to break the stone and fragments brought out. Very large stones can be tackled in one sitting by this procedure.

Future stone prevention

• Adequate hydration every day to prevent dehydration
• Salt-restricted diet
• Recommended dietary calcium
• Avoid excessive green leafy vegetables
• Red meat in moderation
• Plenty of fruits to be eaten
• Doctors may prescribe some medications

Recovery Timeline After Kidney Stone Removal

Procedure	Average Recovery Time	Hospital Stay
Ureteroscopy	2 to 3 days to 1 week	1 to 2 days or same day
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)	2 to 3 days	1 to 2 days or same day
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)	2 to 4 weeks	1 to 2 days
Open Surgery	4 to 6 weeks	6 to 9 days

How Much is the Average Cost of Kidney Stone Removal in Miami?

In Miami, the average cost of kidney stone removal ranges from $3,100 to $14,820 or higher, depending on the facility, the specific procedure (invasive or non-invasive), and insurance coverage. Several factors influence the cost of kidney stone removal in Miami.

• Procedure type: The specific method used will affect the price, such as lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or open surgery (nephrolithotomy).
• Facility: Prices differ between hospitals and outpatient centers.
• Location: The cost of kidney stone removal can vary even within the same city.

Why Choose Dr. Sanjay Razdan for Kidney Stone Removal in Miami?

Dr. Razdan has years of experience in performing advanced procedures, including kidney stone removal. There are several reasons you should choose Dr. Razdan for kidney stone removal in Miami. Some of the key reasons include the following:

• Board-certified urologist with thousands of successful cases
• Expertise in robotic and minimally invasive surgeries
• Personalized treatment plans and medical support
• State-of-the-art technology & advanced equipment

People Also Ask For Kidney Stone Removal in Miami

Question 1. What are the signs that indicate I might have kidney stones?

Answer. Some of the common signs that indicate you might have a kidney stone include pain in the lower back, blood in urine, frequent urination, nausea, and pain during urination.

Question 2. What is the most effective treatment for kidney stones?

Answer. Depending on the stone’s size and location, the ideal treatment is determined. Dr. Razdan offers advanced treatment options, including robotic-assisted surgery, laser lithotripsy, and ureteroscopy for greater precision and better recovery.

Question 3. How long is the recovery time after kidney stone removal?

Answer. The recovery time after kidney stone removal varies depending on the type of procedure. Many patients typically return to normal activities within a few days after minimally invasive and laser procedures.

Question 4. Is kidney stone removal surgery painful?

Answer. Most advanced procedures, such as robotic-assisted & minimally invasive techniques, involve small incisions, causing minimal discomfort & offering greater precision and faster recovery.

 

If you’re in the South Florida area and are suffering from symptoms that you think might be kidney stones, call Dr. Razdan now to request your consultation or request an appointment online.