Treating Kidney Stones: Open Surgery
Open surgery may be done before, after, or instead of other treatments. If you need surgery, your doctor will discuss its risks and possible complications. You will be told how to prepare. And you will be told about anesthesia that will keep you pain-free during treatment.
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| The kidney is opened and the stone is located and removed. |
Open Surgery
Open surgery removes very large stones or stones that cannot be removed by other means. For this surgery, your doctor makes an incision in your side. Your kidney or ureter is opened, and the stone is removed. Then your kidney or ureter is sutured closed. A drain is left near the incision to carry urine away from the wound. The drain is later removed.
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| A drain is left near the kidney to carry urine away from the wound. |
Your Recovery
You may spend up to 7 days in the hospital. The drain in your incision will be removed before you leave. You’ll need about 4–6 weeks of rest at home to recover fully. Follow-up visits will help your doctor spot any new stones early. This may help you avoid future surgeries.
Call Your Doctor If:
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You have sudden pain or flank pain.
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You have a fever over 100.1°F.
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You have nausea that lasts for days.
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You have heavy bleeding when you urinate.
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You have heavy bleeding through your drainage tube.
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You have swelling or redness around your incision.
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Publication Source:
Coste Delvecchio F, Preminger GM, Textbook of primary care medicine, 3rd ed., Chapter 147 – Management of urinary calculi, 2001, pp 1380-1
Online Source:
University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000458.htm
Online Medical Reviewer:
Gomella, Leonard MD
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
9/16/2005