Medical Management

If a stone is small and recently began its decent to the bladder, it may pass spontaneously with the help of pain medicines and bladder relaxants.

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

A dish focuses a sound wave onto the stone and breaks it into small pieces. It is truly noninvasive. Not all stones, however, will respond well to shock wave treatment. The size, location and composition of the stone will all determine whether shock wave lithotripsy will be an appropriate treatment. Although you will probably require a general anesthetic for shock wave lithotripsy, in most cases, this technique can be performed on an out-patient basis.

Ureteroscopic Stone Removal (Laser)

A long narrow scope is passed through the bladder and up to the kidney. Stones along this route are fragmented with a laser or removed with a small "stone basket". This procedure does not require a cut in the skin and is usually performed as out-patient surgery.

Percutaneous Stone Removal

For very large or hard stones which are located in the kidney, a percutaneous (through-the-skin) approach may be required. This technique was originally developed in Minnesota. It entails making a small incision and placing a scope directly into the kidney. The stone can then easily be seen and broken using ultrasound.. Following this type of stone removal, a small tube drains the kidney during a short hospital stay.