Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Treatment
  • Doctors

    • What is percutaneous nephrolithotomy?

    Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and nephrolithotripsy are procedures in which a small incision is made in a person's back to remove kidney stones. In both cases, the doctor puts a tube into the kidney and a scope through the tube. 

    What is percutaneous nephrolithotomy for?

    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).

    Appointment Information

    U-M Health Urology is accepting new patients for initial and second opinions. Our medical staff’s goal is to see and evaluate patients based on their symptoms and urologic needs in a timely manner. If you want to receive kind and compassionate care at the leading urologic practice in Michigan, call 734–936–7030.

    How is percutaneous nephrolithotomy done?

    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 can you expect as you recover from a percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy?

    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.

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Sapan Nitin Ambani, MD

    Sapan Nitin Ambani, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Urology

    Casey Andrew Dauw, MD

    Casey Andrew Dauw, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Urology

    Khurshid Ridwan Ghani, MD

    Khurshid Ridwan Ghani, MBCHB

    Clinical Professor

    Urology

    William Woodruff Roberts, MD

    Professor

    Urology

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