Kidney stones affect 1 in 10 Indians. When stones are too large to pass naturally, medical intervention is needed. Health1 Super Speciality Hospitals offers all three major treatment modalities: ESWL, laser lithotripsy, and robotic-assisted surgery for complex stones.

Treatment Options by Stone Size

For stones under 10mm, ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) is a non-invasive outpatient procedure. Sound waves fragment the stone from outside the body. No incision needed. Suitable for most kidney and upper ureteric stones. For stones 10 to 20mm, flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy is preferred. A thin scope is passed through the urinary tract to the stone, and a holmium laser fragments it. No external incision, typically 1-day hospital stay. For stones over 20mm or staghorn calculi, PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) or robotic-assisted surgery may be recommended. These involve a small keyhole incision for direct stone removal.

Prevention

After treatment, preventing recurrence is crucial. Drink 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily, reduce sodium intake, limit oxalate-rich foods if you form calcium oxalate stones, and get a metabolic evaluation (24-hour urine analysis) to identify your specific risk factors.