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Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney. A procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy (nef-row-lih-THOT-uh-me) involves surgically removing a kidney stone using small telescopes and instruments inserted through a small incision in your back.
Knowing the type of kidney stone you have helps determine its cause, and may give clues on how to reduce your risk of getting more kidney stones. If possible, try to save your kidney stone if you pass one so that you can bring it to your doctor for analysis. Types of kidney stones include: Calcium stones.
A surgeon uses special instruments passed through a tiny tube in your back to locate and remove stones from the kidney. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used most often for larger stones or when less-invasive procedures don't work or aren't possible.
Surgical removal. Occasionally, bladder stones are large or too hard to break up. In these cases, your doctor will surgically remove the stones from your bladder.
Nephrectomy (nuh-FREK-tuh-me) is a surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. Most often, it's done to treat kidney cancer or to remove a tumor that isn't cancerous. The doctor who does the surgery is called a urologic surgeon.
Mayo Clinic uses the latest technology to treat kidney stones, including minimally invasive techniques performed using small incisions or natural openings. Mayo urologists have extensive experience in performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy — a surgical procedure to remove large kidney stones. Nationally recognized expertise
Surgery to remove the cyst. A large cyst that's causing symptoms may require surgery. To access the cyst, a surgeon makes several small incisions in your skin and inserts special tools and a small video camera.
You may reduce your risk of kidney stones if you: Drink water throughout the day. People with a history of kidney stones should drink enough fluids to pass about 80 oz (2.5 liters) of urine every day. This is the most effective therapy available to prevent future kidney stones.
Another minimally invasive option is percutaneous surgery, which may be recommended to remove very large kidney stones. "So we make a small incision, usually about the width of a finger, in someone's back, and then use larger instruments and cameras to look into the kidney and break up those stones," says Dr. Potretzke.
Kidney stones are not only painful, but they can lead to serious complications that may require hospitalization and even surgery. The good news is kidney stones are preventable, and prevention can be as simple as eating the right foods.