Advances in kidney stone treatment: A rapid recovery opportunity, minimally invasive for patients

Ms. T.T (53 years old, residing in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) came to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City and was admitted with left lower back/hip pain for the past month. Ultrasound at the local health facility showed that she had a left renal coral stone, which is a complex type of kidney stone. After being examined and undergoing specialized tests in the Urology department, the doctors decided to apply percutaneous nephrolithotomy using a small tract. Just after 1.5 hours of surgery, the stone mass was removed almost completely, with insignificant blood loss. The next day, the patient could walk and perform personal activities normally. By the second postoperative day, the patient was discharged.

“I was very surprised because the treatment process was faster than I expected, the doctor gave thorough counseling, the nurses provided attentive care, and after just two days I could go home. Previously, my family member had kidney stone surgery but had to stay in the hospital for over a week due to severe pain, a very long incision, and many stones remaining after the operation” - Ms. T.T shared.

The surgical team is highly focused during the percutaneous kidney stone removal procedure – a breakthrough in treatment that is less painful, less bleeding, and allows rapid recovery for patients
 

According to Dr. Đỗ Anh Toàn - Head of the Urology Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, each day, with 4 clinics, they receive about 250-300 patients with urological, andrology and urogynecological conditions; about 50% of these are urinary stone diseases, with kidney stones being the majority. Thanks to modern equipment such as flexible ureteroscopic kidney endoscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, the hospital is moving towards the goal of minimizing open surgery, maintaining the open surgery rate below 1% like advanced countries.

“Kidney stones are a common condition, accounting for about 70% of the surgical workload of the Urology Department. With modern techniques, we can treat even difficult cases such as large stones, staghorn stones, ectopic renal stones, kidney stones in obese patients, in children, or in patients with congenital urinary system anomalies. The important thing is to diagnose

Early diagnosis and timely treatment with a team of experienced doctors together with modern equipment. Additionally,  after the intervention a monitoring plan and appropriate nutrition regimen are needed to help prevent stone recurrence” - Dr. Toàn said.

Doctors at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital are performing stone fragmentation techniques with the support of modern endoscopic systems, improving accuracy and minimizing invasiveness

Another case is a male patient N.Q, 17 years old, who underwent ureter reconstruction surgery for congenital ureteral stricture at a children's hospital 10 years ago. The patient had been treated at many places but without success. At the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, after a multidisciplinary consultation, the patient was diagnosed with recurrent ureteral stricture accompanied by secondary kidney stones. This case was treated with percutaneous endoscopic lithotripsy using laser energy and dilation of the stricture site, and two ureteral stents (JJ) were placed. The operation lasted only 60 minutes and the patient was discharged the next day.

“Besides that, with the technique of extracorporeal stone fragmentation or stone fragmentation using a soft endoscope, cases with small stones (10-20mm) can be treated quickly, discharged on the same day and without leaving surgical scars. Larger stones (over 20mm), located in complex positions will be indicated for percutaneous stone fragmentation – an advanced, effective and highly safe method, while also requiring surgeons with extensive experience and full modern equipment” - Prof. Dr. Đỗ Anh Toàn analyzed.

The kidney stone crushing process is closely monitored via screens and specialized imaging diagnostic equipment, ensuring safety and effectiveness in each step.

Prof. Dr. Đỗ Anh Toàn added that the highlight of the treatment process here is that the process is fully digitized, doctors update the latest treatment protocols, helping shorten preparation time, increase diagnostic accuracy, and reduce hospital stay waiting for surgery. Patients usually only need to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days after surgery. Besides the interventional technique, doctors also emphasize the role of nutrition and counseling to prevent stone recurrence. Determining the molecular nature of the stones will help coordinate with the nutrition department to develop an appropriate diet, preventing the formation of new stones.

Dr. Toàn recommends: “Kidney stones are a disease that easily recurs, therefore comprehensive treatment, control of risk factors, and maintaining an appropriate lifestyle are needed. People should have regular check-ups to detect stones early when they are still small and have not caused complications, in order to have appropriate monitoring and treatment. For cases with large stones or stones causing renal obstruction, active treatment with minimally invasive methods is needed to preserve kidney function and minimize adverse events - complications”.

“If people have symptoms such as lower back/hip pain, painful urination, blood in urine, or fever… they should go immediately to a specialized medical facility for timely screening and treatment” - Dr. Toàn advises.

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