Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section we have tried to answer the basic questions related to urological problems, their symptoms and course of treatment. This effort of ours is directed towards educating the general public. We have more information in our Downloads section.

• What is lithotripsy ?

  It is the scientific and non-invasive procedure to disintegrate stones in kidney, ureter and bladder without surgery.

• What is ESWL ?

  ESWL is the short form of Extra Corporeal(outside the body) Shockwave Lithotripsy. This procedure breaks up the stones in kidney and ureter WITHOUT SURGERY into fine sand like particles which subsequently pass out with urine. This procedure is being widely and successfully used in USA, UK, Germany and other European countries since 1980, it is considered to be the most superior procedure of removing stones and is approved by the HEALTH AUTHORITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
  Over 50 lacs patients have already been treated by over 800 installations globally.

• What are the advantages of ESWL open surgery ?

  ⊙ No cutting hence no long incisions and ugly scars.
  ⊙ No damage to kidney or other vital organs
  ⊙ Internationally popular procedure
  ⊙ early resumption of normal activities
  ⊙ method of choice for treatment of recurrent stones as repeated surgery often results in kidney removal or damage.
  ⊙ no need for blood transfusion, avoid serious hazards eg. hepatitis and AIDS
  ⊙ patients unfit for surgery due to medical reasons can be safely treated
  ⊙ unparalleled safety - oldest patient treated was 90 years of age.

• What types of stones can be treated ?

  Single and multiple stones of various chemical compositions, size and shapes can now be disintegrated. Till recently, major surgery with the risks was the only answer.

• Can recurrent stones be treated ?

  This is the procedure of choice for recurrent stones as repeated surgery is afterall difficult, hazardous and may result in the removal of kidney.

• What preparations are required for lithotripsy ?

  Routine check-up and usual investigations are required(as advised by your physician/surgeon/urologist).

• How long does the treatment take and what is the duration of the hospital stay ?

  Average sitting takes 30-40 minutes depending on the size and number of stones. Usually no stay is required.

• Whether elderly patients and patients suffering from other medical conditions can be treated ?

  Patients ranging from infants to aged as well as those who are not fit for surgery due to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory disorders, kidney failure, etc. can be treated safely by this procedure.

• What happens after the stone is fragmented ?

  The stone is fragmented into very fine particles. The patient is asked to drink plenty of fluids. The fragmented particles pass out with urine.

• What are the provisions for pre and post lithotripsy follow-up ?

  Adequate facilities for follow up are available at our institution.

• Who will impart the treatment ?

  The treatment will be carried out by a team of eminent doctors, under direct supervision of qualified, trained urologist.

• Is this true that the stones are left behind or return after lithotripsy treatment ?

  No, lithotripsy alone, never causes stone reformation. stone disease is known for recurrence, irrespective of the treatment modality.

• Is Lithotripsy(ESWL) an answer to all the stones ?

  No, the stone treatment may require ancilliary treatment like PCNL & Ureteroscopy as an adjunct for complete clearance. Our centre can undertake these procedures & patients need not go to other places to get their stones removed.
  A 'sandwich' therapy is offered as stone package for treatment which shall include ESWL, any ancilliary operative procedures like PCNL or ureteroscopy(only surgeon's operating fee is inclusive), the cost of consumables & hospital stay is to be borne extra. The double J stenting, if required, shall be charged extra.

• What are the chances of success of stone treatment by ESWL

  ESWL is the ideal treatment in carefully selected patients, however, there are 8-10% chances of the non-fragmentation of stones because of their typical composition. All these patients shall be declared as a failure after 3 sessions & they shall be offered either PCNL/open surgery dependin upon the situation

• What are the chances of success of stone treatment by URETEROSCOPY

  Ureteroscopy is the procudure in which the urosurgeon can see inside the ureter break and remove stones under direct vision irrespective of the size using most modern energies viz. laser, ultrasonic lithotripter, dilate the urether in case of stricture, repair the ureter in case of injury, pass a double J stent and may perform many other procedures. It is usually done under spinal/general anesthesia and the patient has to be admitted overnight.

• What is PCNL

  Percutaneous nephro lithotomy is the procedure known to the general public as "key-hole" surgery. As the name implies, a small hole is made right upto the stone through the side of the patient's bodyand any stubborn, difficult or large stone is removed through this "key-hole" after breaking it into small pieces with laser or ultrasonic energy. This is done under regional anesthesia and the patient is discharged after 3-4 days.

• What is TUR(Bladder tumor & Prostate)

  It is the procedure by which the tumor in urinary bladder is resected through urethral route by endoscope, without any opoen operation. Contrary to belief, the procedure never causes any spread of cancer or growth of prostate.

• CYSTOLITHOTRIPSY(CLT)

  An ideal endoscopic treatment of bladder & urethral stone carried out as an outdoor procedure.

• INTERNAL URETHROTOMYY FOR STRICTURE URETHRA(DVIU)

  Male urethra is tackled endoscopically. It is primarily a day care procedure.

• What is Laparoscopic Urology?

  The use of laparoscope in urology is increasing and many open surgical procedures are being done by this key -hole surgery.

• What is the advantage of laparoscopic urological operations?

  It is performed with minimum morbidity, surgical scars & recovery is immediate.

• What is urodynamics?

  As the name implies it is a dynamic functional study which records graphically the events of urination in both filling phase & voiding phase. It detects the actual cause of neurovesical dysfunction.

• Who requires urodynamics evaluation?

  All patients with voiding dysfunction with concomitant diabetes mallitus, chronic retention, neurogenic bladder & where the symptoms do not fit with objective evaluation.

• Why do children do bed wetting?

  Bed wetting or nocturnal enusesis is quite common in children & in many cases it many be manifested to adulthood too, there are very few organic cases but it is mostly improper toilet training, it can be cured if properly seen & taken care of.

• What is undescended testis & how long one should wait for it's descent?

  An impalpable testis is a disease which if uncorrected may lead to irreversible loss of spermatogonia, the stem cell forming sperms when the child becomes adult, the maximum time for waiting is upto 12-18 months.

• What is giggle incontinence?

  It is quite common in young females wherein when they laugh there is urinary leak, it is curable.

• What is stress incontinence?

  It is a urinary leak especially at the time of stress like coughing & in severe squatting, running, sneezing cases even while changing posture. A careful advice by a urologist can cure this condiition. It is very common in 3rd-5th decade of the females.

• What is honeymoon cystisis?

  The urinary infection occurs in newly-married females, which, if untreated may lead to pyelonephritis & symptomatic UTI requiring hospitalizations. It is curable & preventable by proper urological advice.

• Do we need to have regular checkups for kidney related ailments?

  Yes, everyone over 40 years of age needs to be examined regularly to detect renal dysfunction early.

• Is there any program for kidney check-up?

  Yes, KUC has exclusive renal check-up programme in which consultation, check-up, etc. are performed within a day. If need be a nephrological checkup is also performed to rule out any renal dysfunction.