Kidney stone removal

Ureteroscopy (URS)

In some cases, a ureteroscopy may be the best option for treating your kidney stones. This outpatient procedure involves inserting a small, flexible instrument (a little like a telescope) into your bladder and ureter. Once the stones have been located, they can easily be broken using our state-of-the-art laser device.  They are then removed through the bladder. The procedure requires no incisions and is performed under a short general anaesthetic.

This procedure is most commonly used for kidney stones or ureteric stones.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

ESWL is a non-invasive procedure which involves directing high-energy sound waves from outside the body to break stones into small fragments that can pass naturally through urine. It is a quick procedure that requires only minimal pain relief, meaning you can attend as an outpatient, there is a reduced risk of infection and you will recover more quickly. 

Following a scan to accurately locate the kidney stones, you will lie on a water-filled cushion, which helps the high-energy ultrasound waves to reach the target. At Charing Cross Hospital, we apply ESWL using our own state-of- the-art in-house lithotripter – the ultrasound machine which breaks down the stones.

The procedure lasts less than an hour and does not require a general anaesthetic. Usually, you do not need to stay in hospital overnight, and you can go home straight-away

After the procedure, the stone fragments will usually pass in the urine after a few days. Larger stones or stones in certain locations may require subsequent ESWL treatments or an alternative approach. With 24/7 access to specialists in this field of care, we can provide any immediate follow-up treatment or pain relief promptly, should you need it.

This method is suitable for around two-thirds of patients. Its usage depends on the size, location and density of the stone, and specific patient factors such as body-mass index, medications and other health circumstances, such as pregnancy.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

A PCNL procedure is a key-hole surgery which is performed to treat larger and more complicated kidney stones. This takes place under general anaesthetic. We recommend this procedure when it is not possible to remove your kidney stones through a less invasive method.

Your surgeon will pass a surgical telescope (nephroscope) through a small incision using ultrasound and x-ray for a guide. The kidney stones will be broken into smaller pieces with a laser, or other stone breaking devices, and they are removed via the nephroscope.

At Charing Cross Hospital, we have invested in state-of-the-art advanced, smaller instruments and lasers. We are one of the few centres offering a newer, smaller version of the PCNL keyhole procedure called the mini-PCNL to treat large kidney stones.  

It means performing a safer procedure through a smaller incision with less post-operative pain, quicker recovery and a hospital stay of just one day.

Our surgical expertise also allows us to perform the mini-PCNL procedure with patients lying on their back (known as a mini supine PCNL), rather than on their stomach which is a more traditional way of doing it. This is safer and has fewer complications.