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Kidney Stones Health Center

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Kidney Stones Health Center

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Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy uses a small incision in the person's back to remove kidney stones. The surgeon puts a hollow tube into the kidney and a probe through the tube. In nephrolithotomy, the surgeon removes the stone through the tube. In nephrolithotripsy, he or she breaks the stone up and then removes the fragments of the stone through the tube.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
Last Revised	April 28, 2011

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.