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Kidney Stones Health Center

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Kidney Stones - Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed to treat kidney stones. Surgery is only needed when the kidney stone is very large, caused by an infection (staghorn calculi), blocking the flow of urine out of the kidney, or causing other problems like severe bleeding.

  • In percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy, the surgeon makes a small cut in your back. He or she then puts a hollow tube into your kidney and either removes (lithotomy) or breaks up and removes (lithotripsy) the stone. This surgery may be used if other procedures do not work or if you have a very large stone. See a picture of nephrolithotomy camera.
  • In open surgery, the surgeon makes a cut in your side or stomach to reach the kidneys. He or she removes the stone.

If your kidney stones were caused by a problem with your parathyroid gland camera, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove a parathyroid gland or glands (parathyroidectomy). This can help prevent future kidney stones.

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 28, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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