MyChart
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy or Nephrolithotripsy
Treatment Overview
This procedure is used to remove kidney stones.
The doctor makes a small incision in your back. The doctor then puts a hollow tube into your kidney and a probe through the tube.
- In nephrolithotomy, the doctor removes the stone through the tube.
- In nephrolithotripsy, the doctor breaks the stone up and then removes the fragments of the stone through the tube.
You need either general anesthesia or regional or spinal anesthesia during this procedure. A small tube (catheter) may be inserted into the kidney to drain urine until the kidney heals.
What To Expect
You will be in the hospital for at least 2 to 3 days. Most people are able to return to work within a few weeks.
Why It Is Done
This procedure may be used to treat kidney stones that are:
- Larger than 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter.
- Large and caused by an infection (staghorn calculi).
- Blocking the flow of urine out of the kidney.
- Not broken up by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Current as of: June 16, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Tushar J. Vachharajani MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
