Kidney stones result from the formation of tiny mineral crystals in the urinary tract. Most people who develop kidney stones naturally pass the stones out of their body. However, if the kidney stones do not pass naturally, a medical procedure may be needed. The most frequently used procedure is called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to break up the kidney stones. In rare cases, actual invasive surgery may be needed in order to remove especially large or complicated kidney stones. The size and location of the incision determine the risk of side effects from the procedure.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the least invasive type of surgery used to remove kidney stones. Patients are given a general anesthetic during the procedure, which carries a small risk of long-term consequences, including mental confusion, stroke, lung infections, heart attack, and, in rare cases, death. During the nephrolithotomy procedure, a small incision is made through the back into the kidney, and a device known as a nephroscope is used to remove the stones. After this surgery, patients may experience pain and swelling at the incision site, and must remain in the hospital for one or days and require one to two weeks for a full recovery.
Open Surgery
In less than 2 percent of kidney stones cases, according to the Mayo Clinic, patients must have major, open surgery to remove kidney stones. In this type of procedure, doctors make a large incision in the patient's side in order to reach the kidney and remove the stones. The large incision can cause significant pain during the three to four days spent recovering in the hospital and up to six weeks may be required for a full recovery. In rare cases, this major surgery can cause severe side effects, including sharp, shooting pain at the incision site, nausea, vomiting, fever or swelling and redness around the incision. These symptoms may indicate the presence of severe bleeding, infection or kidney damage.
Parathyroid Surgery
In some patients, kidney stones are caused by malfunctioning parathyroid glands. If one of the parathyroid glands develops a small cyst, it can cause the glands to become overactive and raise calcium levels in the body, leading to kidney stone. In these causes, surgery to remove the the cyst may be necessary. Possible side effects of parathyroid surgery include injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords and runs near the parathyroid gland. A second risk is the accidental removal of all four parathyroid glands, which can result in a hormonal imbalance called hypoparathyroidism.
