• Drinking plenty of fluids in the hope of washing stones out of the system.

• Studies suggest that up to 95% of stones are capable of spontaneous passage within six weeks.

• Occasionally, stones do not produce any symptoms. But while they may be "silent," they can be growing, even threatening irreversible damage to kidney function.

Lithotripsy

• Uses highly focused impulses projected from outside the body to pulverize kidney stones anywhere in the urinary system.
• The stone usually is reduced to sand-like granules that can be passed in the patient's urine.
  

• A very safe treatment.
• Does not damage surrounding body tissue - only breaks up the stone.
• Recovery time is short - most people can resume normal activities in a few days.
  

• Large stones may require several treatments.
• Kidney must be functioning well with no blockage to the passage of stone fragments.
  

• A small laser fiber is passed through a fiberoptic Instrument (ureteroscope) and brought into direct contact with the stone. Laser energy produces a shockwave effect which shatters the stone, allowing spontaneous passage or removal.

• Removes stone almost 100% of the time.
• Non-invasive in that there is no incision.
• Outpatient procedure with rapid return to normal activity.
• Safe with few complications.
• Best used for stones in the mid and lower ureter where lithotripsy is only 80% successful in removing stones.

• Usually requires placement of a stent for a short time post-op.
• Requires general anesthesia.

• Taking medications to counteract the condition causing the stone to form.

• Treats the cause of the stone, not just the symptom.
• Non-invasive.

• Slow acting.
• Side effects of pain medication include:


• Constipation


• Drowsiness


• Nausea


• Slowed breathing (respiration)


• Vomiting

• An incision or incisions are made and the stone is removed or shattered. If the latter, the pieces of the shattered stone are passed by the patient.
• Once the stone is located, a small, basket-like device can be used to grasp smaller stones and remove them. Shattered stone are passed by the patient.

• Reserved for cases where other approaches have failed.

• Invasive and painful.
• Possibility that the ureteral wall could be damaged or torn.
• Chance of air or fluids forming around the lung if the access channel is made toward the upper portion of the kidney.
• Possible injury to the bowel or the blood vessels within the kidney.
• Requires hospitalization.