If the preferred method for kidney stone surgery is open surgery, the patient must stay in the hospital for approximately 10 days. If kidney stone surgery is performed using the closed method, patients need to stay in the hospital for only 1 or 2 days. However, patients need a companion during this period to ensure their condition is stable.
In most cases, closed kidney stone surgery is preferred if the kidney stone is larger than 2cm. Stones previously removed using open surgery have been performed with the closed method for a very long time. Due to lack of equipment and lack of experience in doctors, the open method is continued in some places.
After kidney stone surgery, the patient must take care of himself. Another issue that should be taken into consideration is not to move too much after the surgery, not to strain oneself, to stay away from substances that may cause blood thinning such as alcohol, to quit smoking and to choose foods with high nutritional value.
The patient should also pay attention to dressing after the surgery. If the method used is open surgery, care must be taken to prevent the area containing the incision from becoming inflamed. Regular use of medications and creams prescribed by the doctor is also among the things that should be taken into consideration.
Recovery Process After Kidney Stone Surgery
The recovery process after kidney stone surgery varies depending on the method preferred for surgery. It is preferred that the recovery period be short so that the patient can return to his daily life.
There are some factors that determine recovery time. These factors include the method used involving incisions, bleeding during surgery, the ability of the kidney to function, and the patient having other diseases such as heart and lungs.
Generally, the patient’s recovery time after surgery is 1 day. This recovery period may take more than 2 days depending on some circumstances.
The patient may feel pain after closed surgery. Showering after kidney stone surgery also depends on the method used. If the closed method is used in the surgery, you can take a shower the next day.
After open method kidney stone surgery, the duration of showering is long. The reason for this is that there is a risk of inflammation in the surgical area. For this reason, the time it takes to take a shower after open method kidney stone surgery can generally vary between 3 and 5 days.
The patient should prefer closed method surgery in order to recover immediately after the surgery and return to daily life quickly. It is possible to observe swelling in the patient after kidney stone surgery. Regardless of the method used, surgery will be performed.
Swelling formation varies from patient to patient. The healing time of these swellings varies depending on gender, whether the dressing is done regularly or not, how long the patient rests, not smoking and consuming alcohol after the surgery, and eating a balanced and healthy diet.
Routine follow-up is required after kidney stone surgery. It is necessary to increase daily fluid consumption, that is, drink at least 2.5 liters of water.
After the surgery, the doctor recommends the use of painkillers. He also recommends taking antibiotics if necessary. The easiest way to get rid of these pains is to pass the stone as quickly as possible. In order for the pain not to increase and for the patient to avoid problems in this regard, he/she should use painkillers.
Closed kidney stone surgery may not be successful the first time it is performed. This surgery is repeated from person to person. To prevent this from happening again, doctor’s recommendations should be followed. It is observed that stone loss occurs immediately after the surgery.
Stone casting can be seen after a few days from patient to patient. On the tenth day after the surgery, you go to the doctor for a check-up. If there are any spilled stones during this control, you must take the stones with you. During the check-up, the doctor performs the necessary tests and films and checks whether the patient has any stones left.
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.