Laser Lithotripsy for Kidney Stones

In an emergency situation, get to Netcare Parklands Hospital Casualty & ask for Dr Bugwandin to review you. Whatsapp 0734444467 with details to check for our emergency availability.

If you are in Pietermaritzburg, proceed to your closest hospital casualty unit and ask the doctor on call to inform Dr Frittella.

How do I know that I have a kidney stone?

The commonest symptom of kidney or ureteral stones is flank pain, which is accompanied by microscopic blood in the urine

Assessing for urinary stones involves taking a history, examination, bedside ultrasound, however a CT Renal Tract scan will ultimately determine whether one has such stones and what should be done about them.

How do we treat Stones?

We may opt for Medical Expulsive therapy for ureteral stones, if the stone is small and not very symptomatic.

If indicated, endoscopic surgery may be performed(no skin incisions are required- Dr Bugwandin carries out these procedures via a thin scope that is inserted via the urethra to reach the stone/s. A 2-step procedure is generally required, involving the placement of a stent to relieve the blockage or to widen the ureter, and then a laser lithotripsy procedure to break down and extract the stone. A high powered holmium laser is generally used in these cases.

In some cases, medical therapy can be used alone to dissolve stones(soft, small stones)