By Matt Windsor
Most patients form smaller stones that they usually can pass spontaneously, says Assimos. “Medications can be prescribed to facilitate stone passage, but patients who are not able to pass their stones may need to undergo a stone-removing procedure,” he says.
The UAB Department of Urology offers patients all forms of stone-removing treatments, including shock-wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and open surgical stone removal, Assimos says.
“The choice of treatment is based on the size, location, and composition of the stone, the anatomy of the patient’s urinary tract, the condition of the patient, and patient desires,” Assimos explains. “Fortunately, patients rarely need to undergo open surgical removal, as even those with extremely large stones can be treated effectively with a minimally invasive approach such as percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.” In this procedure, Assimos explains, small tubes are placed into the kidney through the skin; instruments are passed through the tubes and the stone material is removed.
To make an appointment, call (205) 801-8000 or (800) UAB-8816.