Focus

Kidney stones and ureteral stones

The team of doctors at alta uro has decades of rich experience in the treatment of urinary stones. The treatments are performed routinely and frequently.

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Why alta uro

What are urinary stones

If urinary stones occur in the kidney, they are referred to as kidney stones (nephrolithiasis); if they enter the ureter, they are referred to as ureterolithiasis. The formation of urinary stones depends on the type of stone. Urinary stones (kidney or ureteral stones) can be extremely painful. We offer comprehensive treatment with modern stone removal techniques. An individual clarification of your risk profile as well as customized recommendations for prevention are a matter of course at alta uro.

Our experts on the topic
Kidney stones

"Urinary stones are a common problem in urology.
The medical term for this condition is urolithiasis."

What causes kidney stones?

The causes of kidney stones can be many and can vary from person to person.
It is important to note that the exact causes of kidney stones can vary depending on the individual situation. If someone develops kidney stones on a regular basis or has concerns, they should see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Here are some of the most common causes:

Insufficient fluid intake: Insufficient intake of fluids can cause certain substances to accumulate in the kidneys and form crystals that can later develop into kidney stones.

Unhealthy diet: A diet rich in foods high in salt and protein but low in fiber may increase the risk of kidney stones. Certain foods that contain high amounts of oxalate, calcium or uric acid may also contribute to the formation of stones.

Familial predisposition: There is evidence that kidney stones can be traced to genetic factors. If family members have had kidney stones, they may be at increased risk of developing them themselves.

Urinary tract infections: Certain types of kidney stones can be caused by recurrent urinary tract infections. The infections can lead to changes in the chemical composition of the urine, which in turn can contribute to the formation of stones.

Medications or diseases: Certain medications and medical conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism (an overactive parathyroid gland), gout, or chronic kidney disease, can increase the risk of kidney stones.

Symptoms

Pain in the abdomen
or flank

Blood admixture
in urine

Nausea and
vomiting

Urinary stones are often without symptoms and only become noticeable when they obstruct the urinary tract and thus impede the flow of urine. If a stone blocks the ureter, a so-called colic occurs. This is defined as severe pain in the abdomen or flank. The pain becomes stronger and weaker in waves, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Typically, people squirm to find a body position where the pain subsides. Renal colic can last from 20 to 60 minutes. Large kidney stones or ureteral stones can also cause blood in the urine or recurrent inflammation.

Diagnosis and examination methods

To find out whether a kidney or ureteral stone exists, a computer tomography scan is performed in addition to a urine examination and an ultrasound. This allows the number, size and location of the stones to be determined and thus a tailored treatment plan to be drawn up. After removal, the stones are examined for their composition. For patients with an increased risk profile, a more extensive metabolic examination is performed. Based on this examination, we create an individual concept for our stone patients to prevent the formation of new stones.

Treatment options for kidney stones

alta uro offers a wide range of products for the treatment of kidney and ureteral stones:

Shock wave therapy (ESWL)

ESWL is a method of urinary stone disintegration using shock waves that are delivered to the body from the outside. Even though ESWL is a good alternative therapy in certain cases, it has become less and less important in recent years. This is due on the one hand to the often long treatment duration with several sessions, and on the other hand to the improvement and miniaturization of the other surgical methods (URS, Mini-PCNL), which offer a higher and more permanent stone clearance overall. Alta uro offers ESWL in selected cases in collaboration with cooperation partners.

Ureteroscopy (URS)

In the case of stones in the kidney or ureter, a ureteroscopy (so-called ureterorenoscopy, URS) is performed under anesthesia and the stone is first crushed or directly removed using the smallest instruments, depending on the size of the stone. In the case of kidney stones, we perform an endoscopy using flexible instruments (so-called flexible URS), depending on the size and location of the stone. Due to the technical progress, which requires smaller and better movable instruments, this operation method is the most frequently performed today.

Percutaneous stone treatment (PCNL)

In the case of large kidney stones, endoscopic removal from the outside through the skin, a so-called PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy), may be necessary. The advantage of this technique is the efficient removal of large kidney stones. The disadvantage is the higher risk of complications compared to other surgical techniques.

Drug stone therapy

On the one hand, medicinal stone therapy serves to dissolve urinary stones (chemolitholysis); on the other hand, medications can help to facilitate natural stone clearance in ureteral stones. Chemolitholysis is only possible for pure uric acid stones.

The thulium fiber laser

As one of the first clinics in Switzerland, the physicians of alta uro at the Merian Iselin Klinik have access to the Thulium fiber laser. This laser represents the first completely new development in stone laser technology in decades... learn more

What distinguishes the thulium fiber laser from other stone lasers

Laser technology has been used for years to treat kidney stones, shattering the troublemakers into small pieces that can then be removed or excreted. The thulium fiber laser is based on a completely new technology. This results in the stones being treated more precisely, finely and efficiently.

What is the advantage of the thulium fiber laser for patients?

Since the thulium fiber laser disintegrates stones much more efficiently and smaller than previous stone lasers, the operation time is significantly reduced. In addition, greater efficiency means that larger stones can be treated minimally invasively via ureteroscopy. Previously, these stones required surgery with access directly through the skin into the kidney, which is associated with a higher risk of complications.

The use of the thulium fiber laser also makes it possible to use thinner and more flexible laser fibers. This increases the mobility of the instruments in the kidney and increases continuous irrigation during surgery. As a result, the view of the target site is better, which additionally contributes to the safety and precision of the operation

Why do patients choose us?

FAQs

Risk factors

Risk factors include drinking too little, eating a high-protein diet and being overweight, and lack of exercise. Congenital metabolic diseases such as elevated uric acid levels in the blood or chronic inflammatory bowel diseases can also lead to stone formation.

What complaints cause urinary stones

Urinary stones are often without symptoms and only become noticeable when they obstruct the urinary tract and thus impede the flow of urine. If a stone blocks the ureter, a so-called colic occurs. This is understood to mean severe wave-like pain in the abdomen or flank. Large kidney stones or ureteral stones can also lead to blood in the urine or recurrent inflammation.

What is renal colic

When kidney stones enter the renal pelvis or ureter, they can cause severe, undulating pain. This is called renal or ureteral colic. The pain depends on the location of the stone and can radiate to the flank area, the lower abdomen or the genital area. The pain is often described as unbearable. Renal or ureteral colic is an emergency that must be treated quickly.

Do urinary stones always need to be treated

In most cases, smaller kidney stones that do not cause discomfort do not need to be treated, but merely checked. Small ureteral stones that cause colic can often go away on their own, so that in certain situations it is possible to wait. For support in such a situation, a therapy with painkillers as well as anti-inflammatory drugs is usually carried out.

Why is a so-called ureteral splint often inserted during stone therapy

The insertion of a ureteral stent (also called a double-J catheter or DJ catheter) is always necessary when the outflow of urine from the kidney is not guaranteed. This is typically the case in ureteral colic when the stone cannot pass on its own. In addition, immediate surgical removal of ureteral stones is not always possible. The ureteral splint then defuses the acute situation and creates ideal conditions for subsequent stone therapy (e.g. stone removal by ureteroscopy) by relaxing the ureter. Even after successful stone treatment, swelling can occur in the ureter, which can cause renewed discomfort. Often, a ureteral splint is inserted again after surgery to prevent pain.

What is a so-called stone metaphylaxis

For patients who repeatedly form stones, certain measures can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation. Depending on the composition of the stones, it makes sense to take medication. The administration of medication is always combined with other measures such as increasing the amount of fluid drunk or a change in lifestyle. This type of prevention is called stone metaphylaxis. The time interval until the recurrence of urinary stones can thus be extended or the formation of new stones can even be prevented altogether. This requires close consultation with a nephrologist.

Directions

alta uro AG
Centralbahnplatz 6

4051 Basel

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Streetcar lines 1, 2, 8, 10 and 11

Bus lines 30, 50 and 48

Train to SBB station

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Member of the Swiss Society of Urology
Member of the Quality Register of the Swiss Society of Urology
Certified cooperation partner of the German Cancer Society
Certified medical advice center of the German Continence Society