Established Kidney Stone Treatments:
There are several treatments for kidney stones that have already been established. They developed in the past and are still used to this day. The following are examples of such treatments:
Pain relievers:
Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. To relieve mild pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers such as ibuprofenor naproxen sodium.
Medical therapy:
Your doctor may give you a specific medication to help pass your kidney stone. This type of medication, known as an alpha-blocker, relaxes the muscles in your ureter, helping you pass the kidney stone more quickly and with less pain. Examples of alpha-blockers include tamsulosin and the drug combination dutasteride and tamsulosin.
Advanced Treatments for Kidney Stones:
Lithotripsy:
Ultrasound waves are used to move kidney stones from the kidney through the ureter to the bladder. This procedure is almost painless and can be done while the patient is awake and not sedated.
The shock waves break a large stone into smaller stones that will pass through the urinary system. Ultrasound waves can also be used to dislodge and move small fragments left behind after surgery so they can naturally be expelled.
Holmium Laser Technologies:
A new high-powered laser uses a patented technology called “Moses” to make it easier to remove kidney stones. With Moses, the stone stays still after the laser hits it, and it is easier to accurately hit stones that are moving as the patient breathes. This makes it easier for surgeons to break down stones without damaging surrounding tissues and causing bleeding.
Mini PCNL:
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure for larger kidney stones. Surgeons use PCNL to make small incisions in the lower back and then use a small camera and instruments to break up and remove the stones. Mini PCNL is the same procedure but involves smaller incisions and instruments.
Single-use disposable ureteroscopes:
New single-use disposable ureteroscopes (“scopes”) have the potential to give more patients access to ureteroscopy to treat their stones. Re-usable scopes are fragile and often require repair after a certain number of cases.This is not a concern in single-use scopes because they are only used once.
Some hospitals keep some single-use scopes on hand in case their re-usable scope breaks. This prevents patients from having to have their surgeries cancelled or delayed and improves access to care.
The Future of Kidney Stone Treatment:
Surgeons are trying to make kidney stone removal surgeries less traumatic and bloody. This is why they are following procedures with smaller instruments such as mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Urologists are using non-invasive procedures such as lasers. Surgeries are becoming less common.
In the future treatments of kidney stones will be less invasive and less bloody.
At the Kidney Stone Clinic we have the latest and most advanced kidney stone treatments. If you have kidney stones that require medical intervention, then come to us. We will give you the most modern and effective treatments that are available.
