Newcastle Urology at the Freeman Hospital performs the highest number of operations for urinary system stones in the North East, and is one of the leading units in the UK.
Stones develop from crystals which separate from the urine within the urinary system. Stones are common and approximately 1 in 10 people will form a stone at some point in their lives. They can be found in the kidneys, or in the ureter (the tube leading from the kidney to the bladder).
Some stones will pass spontaneously, some stones can be fragmented with lithotripsy, and other stones can be safely observed. However some stones do need to be removed by means of an operation.
The decision to go ahead with surgery depends on a number of factors including symptoms and the risk of developing problems caused by the stone.
Minimally invasive surgery
The type of operation depends on the size and location of the stone(s). However, with modern techniques, and the latest technology at our disposal, stone surgery at Newcastle Urology is minimally invasive with a quick return to normal activities.
Kidney or ureteric stones often pass without any intervention required but larger stones may need to be fragmented (broken up) with lithotripsy (shock wave treatment) or removed with an operation.
See Lithotripsy for more information on this form of treatment.
Ureteroscopic stone removal is an operation which is done with a small-calibre telescope. The operation does not involve any cuts in the skin and a laser may be used to fragment the stone. These operations take place daily at Newcastle Urology with success rates in excess of 95% and a low risk of complications.
See Ureteroscopy for more information on this form of treatment.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an operation to remove large stones (15mm or more) directly from the kidney. The advantage is that even very large stones are removed in a single operation although a small cut is required to allow passage of the telescope into the kidney.
Compared to lithotripsy and ureteroscopic stone removal, PCNL is more invasive and requires a longer stay in hospital (usually 2-4 days). We perform approximately 120 PCNL operations annually at Newcastle Urology with high success rates.
See Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for more information on this form of treatment.
Staff you are likely to meet
Our consultant urologists who specialise in stone surgery are:
Please note that although your appointment is with a named consultant you may be seen by a member of their team.
