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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Open Surgery for Kidney Stones

Open Surgery for Kidney Stones

Surgery Overview

In open surgery to remove kidney stones, the surgeon uses an incision in the person's abdomen or side to reach the kidney and remove the stones. He or she then puts a small tube (catheter) near the kidney to drain urine until the kidney heals.

What To Expect After Surgery

What To Expect After Surgery

You will be in the hospital for 6 to 9 days. You are usually able to resume your normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks.

 Why It Is Used

Why It Is Used

Open surgery is rarely needed to remove kidney stones. You may need it if:

  • You have large stones caused by an infection (staghorn calculi).
  • You were born with an abnormality in your urinary system that affects urine flow in the kidneys, ureters, or bladder.
  • Other treatment methods have failed to remove or dissolve the stone.
 How Well It Works

How Well It Works

Depending on the location of the kidney stone, open surgery usually can completely remove the stone.

 Risks

Risks

The risks of open surgery to remove a kidney stone include:

  • Severe bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Risks linked with anesthesia.
  • An increased risk of getting a hernia where the cut was made for surgery.

There also is the risk that the kidney may be severely damaged by the open surgery and may have to be removed.

 What To Think About

What To Think About

During recovery at home, call your surgeon immediately if you have:

  • Sudden pain.
  • Fever.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Signs of infection, such as swelling or redness around the incision.

The use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, and ureteroscopy to remove kidney stones has nearly eliminated the need for open surgery to remove stones.

The recovery time following open surgery is much longer than the recovery time for the treatments listed above.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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