Laser lithotripsy is a procedure to break apart kidney stones in the urinary tract. It is done with a ureteroscope passed into the tubes of the urinary tract. Incisions are not needed.

The laser breaks the kidney stones into smaller pieces that can either be removed by the surgeon or pass out of the body in the urine.

Reasons for Procedure

Kidney stones can become trapped anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidney and the ureter. The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder. If a stone gets stuck in the ureter it can cause a blockage and the back-up of urine into the kidney. They can also be quite painful.

Laser lithotripsy is used to break apart the kidney stone so that it can pass through the ureter. The pieces will either be removed by the surgeon using a special basket or left in place where they will move from the ureter to the bladder, then out of the body with the urine.

Laser lithotripsy may be chosen if other non-surgical treatments have failed or if kidney stones are:

Too large to pass

Irregular in shape

Causing bleeding or damage to surrounding tissue

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but all procedures have some potential risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Increasing or large amounts of blood in the urine

Injury to the urinary tract

Infection

Need for additional procedures to remove stone fragments that do not pass

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

Smoking

Drinking

Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

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