The question of how long does kidney stone surgery take is a question that is on the minds of many patients and is also wondered by the patient’s relatives.
As it is known, kidney stone surgery is an operation performed under general anesthesia. Surgery duration also varies from individual to individual.
The duration of surgery varies depending on the patient’s condition, how large the stone is and its location, or the experience of the surgeon.
It is said that if no unexpected situation occurs at the time of surgery, the surgery will be completed in approximately 2-3 hours. It is possible to answer the question “How long does kidney stone surgery take?” in this way.
What is Kidney Stone Surgery?
Before answering the question of how long does kidney stone surgery take, it is necessary to know how the surgery is performed.
Endoscopic surgery is preferred over open surgery all over the world in kidney stone removal operations. The operation is performed by accessing the kidney through an incision made in the patient’s back.
This surgery, which is performed through a small incision, provides benefits such as rapid recovery. However, kidney stone surgery is not suitable for some patients.
These patients; Pregnant women, those with untreated urinary tract infections, and those with a high risk of bleeding during surgery.
In kidney stone surgery, the location of the stones in the kidney is determined by x-ray. The surgery is performed while the patient is under general or regional anesthesia. It is known that there are four different application methods for surgery. These methods vary depending on the size of the area where the stone is located.
One of four applications is chosen depending on the size, location and structure of the kidney stone. With the chosen application method, the stone in the kidney is cleared and its recurrence is prevented.
After anesthesia, kidney stone surgery has two stages. First stage; Using a cystoscope, the kidney is entered through the patient’s urinary opening.
A tube is placed to reach the kidney where the stone is located. A distinguishing substance is applied to the kidney and thus the kidney becomes visible on x-ray thanks to the rays.
In the second stage; A thin wire is inserted into the kidney with a kidney stone, which can be observed on x-ray, with the help of a special needle.
Thanks to the wire, a 1 cm sized tube is positioned in the kidney. A device called a nephroscope is extended through this path. This device provides illumination.
The surgeon can see the inside of the patient’s kidney with this device. The stone is broken into pieces with the help of another rod extended through the nephroscope. Stone pieces are also thrown out by various methods.
What are the Risks of Kidney Stone Surgery?
Questions about the risks of kidney stone surgery arise in the minds of patients who have stones in their kidneys and it is known that the only treatment for the stone is surgery.
As it is known, there are various risks in every surgery. However, it should not be forgotten that there is a risk even in the smallest surgeries.
It is certain that all procedures performed on the kidneys carry some risks. Because the kidneys are much smaller and more sensitive than other organs. However, it is possible to reduce these risks to the lowest levels thanks to a good doctor.
However, the risks of kidney stone surgery that may arise are; Examples include high fever, urinary tract infection, bleeding in the urine, injury to the channel between the kidney and bladder called the ureter, inability to reach the stone, the stone not being able to break completely and being left for the second session.
These risks are also related to the duration of the surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to answer the question that people have in mind: how long does kidney stone surgery take?
After Kidney Stone Surgery
While answering the question of how long does kidney stone surgery take, it is also necessary to talk about what needs to be done after the surgery. After this surgery, a urinary catheter is inserted into the patient. The catheter remains in the patient only on the day of surgery. The catheter is removed the next day.
If the patient does not have any bleeding after the surgery, the patient is discharged the next day. Again, at the end of the first month following the surgery, the patient comes to the hospital for a check-up.
Prof. Dr. Gökhan Koç graduated from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in 2000. After his graduation, he worked as a research assistant in the urology clinic at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital for 5 years and became a specialist doctor in 2007. He currently provides services in urological surgery in İzmir.