Izmir Ureteral Stone Surgery
Ureter; They are tubular structures that extend between the kidneys and the bladder and can be approximately 25-28 cm in length.
Stones falling into the urinary tract cause many problems. It is caused by stones falling into the urinary tract called the ureter, which forms on the inside of the kidneys and acts as a bridge between the kidney and the bladder.
In cases such as narrow space in the ureteral canal, conditions such as ureterocele, ureteral tumor, ectopic ureter, or sutures that have passed through the ureteral canal and remained undissolved during an operation, stone formation in the ureter can cause.
Most of the stones found in the ureter consist of calcium oxalate structure. When stones stuck in the ureter channel block the flow of urine, this can cause many problems. Therefore, these stones are removed and treated with surgery.
How is Ureteral Stone Surgery Performed?
| Treatment Details | |
| Operation: | Ureteral Stone Surgery |
| Procedure: | Stones are broken by entering the urinary tract using a closed method with a camera. |
| Duration: | 1 Hour |
| Length of Hospital Stay: | 1 Day |
| Anesthesia: | General or spinal anesthesia |
| Healing Time: | 1-2 Days |
| Return to Work (School): | 5-7 Days |
| Scars: | No |
| Pain Duration: | 24 Hours |
Surgery for ureteral stones is decided by looking at many factors.
In practice, surgeries are generally performed as Ureterorenoscopy (URS) surgery by entering through the bladder, but sometimes if it cannot be performed from below due to reasons such as stenosis, it can also be performed with an operation similar to percutaneous nephrolithotomy performed from the back region.
In some cases where the stone cannot be reached from the bladder or kidney or the stone is too large to be removed with these methods, open or closed (laparoscopic, robotic) surgeries can be performed.
URS surgery can be described as passing through the urinary tract using optical cameras and imaging the stone, breaking it down and removing it.
In this surgery, there are methods to break down the stone into sand using pneumatic, that is, mechanical method or laser. However, in the generally mechanical method, the laser method is preferred because there is a risk of the broken stone pieces escaping back into the kidney after the stone is broken.
If it can be turned into sand, the patient can excrete small stone pieces with urine. If there are stone pieces that are too large for the patient to pass, these are also removed during the operation.
Having a closed surgery is very advantageous due to factors such as not causing cosmetic defects and allowing for bleeding and an earlier return to daily life compared to open surgeries.
Even if an injury occurs in the urinary tract during the surgery, the damage is minimized by placing a stent between the patient’s kidney and bladder. This stent remains in the patient for 3-4 weeks, after which it can be removed simply with a closed procedure.
Patients recovering from surgery can be discharged after an observation period of approximately one day. Open surgery is rarely performed today and is almost never needed with the developing technology.
In ureteral stone surgery, the surgical intervention is started by applying regional or general anesthesia in line with the instructions of the anesthesiologist and the surgeon.
The patient reaches the points he needs to pay attention to before and after the surgery as a result of the information he receives from the doctor, and it is of great importance that he complies with these.
What You Need to Know About Ureteral Stone Surgery
- The ureter is a thin and round structure, approximately 25-30 cm long, that carries the urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
- Ureteral stone is one of the most common diseases today.
- Patients can be from young or older age groups. It is a problem that can happen to anyone of any age, race and social level.
- There are some stenosis along the course of the ureter, and the stone coming out of the kidney may sometimes get stuck in one of these stenosis areas. Passing a ureteral stone can be a very difficult and painful process for some patients, and supportive treatment with plenty of fluid intake and painkillers may be recommended with the recommendations of your urologist.
- Treatment of ureteral stones depends on their size and location. While stones 4 5 mm and smaller are generally expected to pass, larger stones are less likely to pass.
- Depending on the location and size of the stones, extracorporeal shock wave breaking (ESWL) may be tried or surgery may be required.
- If surgery is required, the success of lithotripsy (lithotripsy), which is performed by inserting a ureterorenoscope (URS) through the urinary tract, is quite high. The most commonly used method with URS today is laser technology. Stones are broken into smaller pieces to be more safely excreted through urine.
- The purpose of this operation is to ensure that the patient’s urine flow is continuous and to prevent kidney obstruction due to stones and possible dysfunction and infections.
- Izmir ureteral stone surgery operation method to be chosen depends on the location and size of the stones. However, today, almost all stones are treated with a closed method.
- It provides safety, comfort, fast recovery and best results for patients undergoing ureteral stone surgery.
- Ureteral stone surgery is completed in an average of 1 to 2 hours. The duration varies depending on the size and location of the ureteral stone, the need for an additional procedure, and the general health condition of the patient. Thanks to improved surgical techniques, success rates are also increasing.
- Some things can be done to prevent ureteral stones. These can be listed as salt and protein restriction and drinking plenty of water. Regular exercise can also be beneficial.
- Since stone disease can be recurrent, your urologist’s recommendations should be followed and regular check-ups should not be neglected.
Why Do Ureteral Stones Form?
Ureteric stones develop when uric acid, calcium, and other minerals in the urine crystallize and form clusters that solidify into stones. They can range from small grains of sand to golf ball-sized stones.
A diet rich in salt, sugar, and animal protein, dehydration, and certain medical conditions such as gout and inflammatory bowel disease are common risk factors for developing ureteral stones. Additionally, ureteral stones are more likely to reoccur in people who have experienced these stones before. Urinary tract obstruction and kidney failure can also cause ureteral stones.
Are There Types of URS Surgery?
Ureterorenoscopy (URS) surgery is the name given to the surgical procedure performed with the help of a long device called ureterorenoscope. There are two types of devices. One of them is a rigid tool made of hard metal and does not have the ability to bend or bend, it is called rigid ureterorenoscope. The other one is longer and not rigid and has the ability to bend and bend up to a certain amount and is called flexible ureterorenoscope.
This surgery is performed if you have a stone smaller than 2 cm in your kidney or a stone in your ureter that requires surgery. It is performed under anesthesia. During the procedure, the ureterorenoscope device is entered through the urinary tract, first reaching the bladder, then entering the ureter and starting the procedure. Therefore, it is a surgery in which no incisions are made and no stitches are applied. Once the stone or stones are reached, they are usually broken with laser energy and the stones are then expected to be shed with urine.
The surgery takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the density of the stone in the ureter or kidney, and the hospital stay is usually one night. A stent is usually placed between the kidney and bladder and removed approximately one month later. Normal activities are resumed within two to three days.
The biggest side effect of these surgeries is infection. Fever should be checked in the postoperative period, and a doctor should be contacted when there are symptoms that may suggest infection, such as fever, chills, chills, and pain. Additionally, sometimes if the canal cannot be entered due to stenosis or if the stones cannot be removed due to the high stone load, a second session of surgery may be required.
What are the Prices of Ureteral Stone Surgery in Izmir?
Ureteral stone surgery prices in Izmir will vary depending on the type of surgery, hospital and your doctor’s specialty.
If you want to get information about ureteral stone surgery prices in Izmir, you can contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Ureteral Stone Surgery Performed?
What Happens If Ureteral Stone Is Not Removed?
Where Are Kidney Stones Mostly Found in the Ureter?
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/ureteroscopy
Güçlük, A., Burgu, B., Tuygun, C., Göktuğ, G., & İmamoğlu, A. (2010). Effectiveness of antegrade percutaneous approach in the treatment of impacted upper ureteral stones. Turkish Journal of Urology, 36(2).