Director: Ojas Shah, M.D.

The comprehensive kidney stone program is committed to the treatment, evaluation and prevention of kidney stones. Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. An estimated 10% of the U.S. population will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives. Men tend to be more frequently affected than women.

Our program is actively engaged in clinical and basic science research involving the formation, prevention, and alternative treatments regarding all aspects of stone disease. We are dedicated in the management of simple to the most complex kidney stone problems with our state-of-the art technology.

Treatment Options

Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Shock wave lithotripsy is a device that uses either x-ray or ultrasound to help the urologist pinpoint a stone from outside the body. The shock waves are targeted on the stone and breaks the kidney or ureteral stone into smaller pieces to help in its passage. This is typically performed with intravenous sedation or anesthesia. Shock wave lithotripsy is typically performed on smaller stones and can be done on an outpatient basis. If the stone is not completely shattered or cannot be successfully passed following the procedure, stent placement or additional procedures may be needed. Recovery time is short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days.

Endoscopic surgery allows the urologist to inspect all aspects of the urinary tract and fragment stones with devices such as a Holmium laser and remove stones with specialized baskets and graspers. This technology also allows minimally invasive treatment of cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, and ureteral strictures. It greatly reduces the length of hospitalization since the majority of procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and also reduces recuperation and the cost of treatment.

In this procedure, a small incision is made in the back and a tunnel is created directly into the kidney. This allows fragmentation and removal of large or unusual stones using special lithotriptors and stone removal devices. A special tube, a nephrostomy tube, may be left in the kidney following the procedure during the healing process. Larger stones may require a staged procedure to remove the entire stone burden. Most patients are able to go home the day after the procedure and recuperation is typically 2 to 4 weeks following completion of the surgery.

Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is typically reserved for the removal of kidneys (tumors or poorly functioning) and for management of ureteral strictures, calyceal diverticulum stones, renal cysts, and UPJ obstruction with or without kidney stones. It is also used in special circumstances for large stones in abnormally positioned (ectopic) kidneys.

Prevention
Genetics, diet, fluid intake, work environment and even geographic locations are all factors which may influence the formation of stones. Patients who are involved in stone prevention have fewer visits to emergency rooms and hospitals, fewer treatments and procedures to remove stones, and spend less time away from work. One study demonstrates that stone prevention can save $1,000 - $3,000 per year, per patient over a five-year period.

If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, you are likely to form another; so prevention is very important. To prevent stones from forming, we must determine the cause. This is done by stone analysis, blood tests, and 24 hour urine collections. Other causative factors will also be investigated including medical history, medications, occupation, and dietary habits.

Based on these results, lifestyle changes, dietary changes and possible medical therapy may be recommended for the prevention of future stones.