Laser lithotripsy for kidney stones

Request a free surgical assessment consultation with one of our Urology Specialists, and start recovering your quality of life now, with the guarantees of Operarme. The doctors who collaborate with Operarme have extensive proven experience in renal lithotripsy.

Holmium laser is currently the most effective and safest technique for removing kidney stones. However, for greater peace of mind, Operarme includes a Medical Complications Insurance that covers possible eventualities that may occur, such as the need to increase the length of hospital stay or a possible re-intervention.

If you finally decide to have surgery, we inform you that Operarme has a transfer service so we will take care of taking you to the hospital the day of the operation, as well as we will take you home when you are discharged. You can check the conditions of the service here.

The price we indicate 6.390 € is a closed and all-inclusive price, so you will not have to worry about anything else. However, if there is any special need by express indication of the specialist, you will be informed of the variation in the price before starting the process.

Contact our Patient Service Team if you have any questions by calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or filling in the contact form. At Operarme we are not only at your disposal throughout the whole process, advising you and managing each stage of the process, but we will also try to resolve any concerns you may have. 

If you would like more detailed information about the surgery, the postoperative period and the advantages of the intervention, below we explain each of the points to bear in mind.

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Holmium laser lithotripsy surgery for the treatment of kidney stones is usually performed when there are bothersome symptoms. In these cases, the stones cannot be dissolved with conservative (non-surgical) treatments.

Kidney lithotripsy prevents the recurrence of stones as well as possible major complications such as infections.

However, it must be the specialist who determines the suitability of surgery to treat this problem. In many cases, it is common to have an associated disease that makes scheduled surgery preferable.

In addition, there are a number of factors that make the patient and the urologist inclined to treat kidney stones surgically:

• Continuous pain with peaks of extreme pain.
• Blockage of the passage of urine.
• The stones cause infection in the urinary tract.
• Existence of the possibility of damage to the tissues of the urinary system during expulsion.
• Large stones that cannot pass through the urinary tract.

Laser kidney stones (lithotripsy) is a minimally invasive surgery thanks to the use of the ureteroscope: a flexible optical fibre that allows any area of the kidney and ureter to be reached and the stone to be fragmented under direct vision. 

This tool is connected to a high-definition (HD) camera-monitor that provides a high-quality image of the inside of the urinary tract.

Do you need to remove kidney stones?

Request a free and immediate surgical consultation with our specialist in Holmium laser.

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Thus, lithotripsy is performed as follows:

• This surgery is performed under general/regional anaesthesia so you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
• After administering the anaesthetic, the ureteroscope is inserted into the ureter until it reaches the kidney stone(s) in the kidney.
• Once the kidney stone(s) is (are) located, the Holmium laser is used to fragment the stone(s).
• The fragments are then removed
• An internal drainage catheter is left in place and will be removed approximately one week after the operation.

Removal of the catheter will be performed days after the renal laser lithotripsy, on an outpatient basis.

Laser lithotripsy surgery for kidney stones lasts one hour, although it will depend on the complexity of the stone. In addition, you will be admitted to hospital for 1 day and, after discharge, you will be able to resume your daily routine almost immediately.

After the procedure, it is important to drink plenty of water, about 2 litres a day, to help flush out the stone debris.

The time it takes to remove all the debris may vary, depending on the number of stones, their size, their composition, etc. However, you will be able to return to your daily activities the day after you are discharged from hospital.

It is normal to feel some discomfort in the first few weeks. In this case, the specialist will recommend a non-opioid analgesic to alleviate the slight discomfort you may feel. Slight traces of blood may also appear during the first few days, but this is also normal, so there is nothing to worry about.

Complications and risks of Laser lithotripsy for kidney stones

Complications associated with this surgery are minimal. However, here are some of the most common complications:

• Blood in the urine. This is common and will disappear after a few days.
• Rare, as antibiotics are given to prevent this from happening.
• Lesions in organs or tissues. Very infrequent, as it is an operation that is performed quite often and in which specialists have a lot of experience.
• Need for a second surgery. This is usually known before the first operation and is usually due to the existence of a large number of stones.

However, it is a surgery with a very low rate of possible complications.

Holmium laser plays an important role in different urological diseases due to its various advantages:

• Versatile technique with which stones of different composition can be fragmented, even the most resistant ones.
• Easier access due to the ureteroscope, a small fibre diameter and greater flexibility.
• Haemostatic ability to cauterise tissue during vaporisation or incision.
• Minimised blood loss.
• Less stone movement during treatment
• Higher success rate in a single treatment

The results of Holmium laser renal lithotripsy are getting better and better, even for large stones (2 - 3.5 cm). In these cases the removal rate is 90 %.

In addition, studies show that analgesia requirements are lower than with other techniques, which means a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

The cost of Holmium laser lithotripsy for the removal of kidney stones is 6.390 €, a closed, all-inclusive price.

At Operarme, we include in the price everything necessary to carry out the surgical intervention as safely and successfully as possible:

• Booking and use of the operating theatre.
• Single room with a spare bed.
• Food and accommodation for the patient for 1 day.
• Complete pre-operative care.
• Post-operative visit.
• Fees for doctors, anaesthetists and nursing staff.
• Surgical material necessary for the operation.
• Use of a flexible ureteroscope.
• Anaesthesia, haemotherapy-transfusions, recovery room bookings, etc.
• Medical complications insurance.
• Transfer service. Consult the transfer service conditions here.

If you decide to have the surgery, Operarme’s Patient Service team will be with you from the very first moment, advising you and managing every part of the process.

If you have any questions, please contact us on +34 91 141 33 56 or by filling in the contact form. We will be at your disposal to answer any of your questions.

Do you need to remove kidney stones?

Request a free and immediate surgical consultation with our specialist in Holmium laser.

Make an appointment