About Retroperitoneoscopic Ureterolithotomy
Key Highlights
-
Minimally Invasive: Performed through small incisions, leading to less tissue damage and scarring.Direct Stone Removal: Allows for the direct visualization and extraction of large or complex stones.Reduced Pain & Blood Loss: Typically results in less post-operative pain and minimal blood loss compared to open surgery.listrongShorter Hospital Stay:/strong Patients often have a shorter hospitalization period, usually 1-3 days./lilistrongFaster Recovery:/strong Enables a quicker return to daily activities and work./lilistrongHigh Success Rate:/strong Highly effective for removing stones that are not amenable to other less invasive procedures./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Large ureteral stones (typically >1.5-2 cm) that cannot be effectively treated with ESWL or ureteroscopy.
- Impacted stones in the upper or mid-ureter that have failed other treatment modalities.
- Complex stone anatomy or hard stones (e.g., cystine, calcium oxalate monohydrate) resistant to fragmentation.
- Concurrent anatomical abnormalities of the ureter that complicate other approaches.
- Failed previous attempts at stone removal using less invasive techniques.
- Presence of infection (pyonephrosis) associated with an obstructing stone requiring urgent drainage and removal.
How to prepare
- Medical Evaluation: Comprehensive assessment including blood tests, urine analysis, and imaging (CT scan or IVP) to precisely locate the stone.
- Consultation: Detailed discussion with the urologist and anesthesiologist about the procedure, risks, and benefits.
- Medication Review: Inform your doctor about all medications, especially blood thinners (aspirin, warfarin), which may need to be stopped temporarily.
- Fasting: Typically, no food or drink (NPO) for 6-8 hours before the surgery.
- Bowel Preparation: Sometimes a mild laxative or enema is prescribed to empty the bowels for better surgical access.
- Pre-operative Measures: Showering with an antiseptic soap and removal of jewelry, dentures, and contact lenses.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding: Risk of hemorrhage during or after the procedure, though minimal.
- Infection: Potential for wound infection or urinary tract infection.
- Injury to Surrounding Organs: Rare risk of damage to nearby structures like blood vessels, intestines, or the spleen/liver.
- Urine Leak: Temporary leakage of urine from the incision site or ureter, which usually resolves on its own.
- Ureteral Stricture: Scarring and narrowing of the ureter at the surgical site in the long term.
- Anesthesia Risks: General risks associated with anesthesia, such as allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
- Stone Recurrence: The procedure removes the existing stone but does not prevent new stones from forming.
- Conversion to Open Surgery: In rare cases, the surgeon may need to convert to an open procedure due to complications.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Typically 1-3 days for monitoring pain, drain output, and ensuring proper urine flow.
- Pain Management: Post-operative pain is managed with oral or intravenous medications.
- Drain & Catheter: A surgical drain near the kidney and a urinary catheter are usually placed temporarily and removed before discharge.
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and driving for 2-4 weeks. Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery.
- Wound Care: Keep incision sites clean and dry. Watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Hydration & Diet: Drink plenty of water (2-3 liters daily) to promote urine flow and prevent new stones. Follow any dietary advice from your urologist.
- Follow-up: Essential follow-up visits for stitch removal, imaging (X-ray/ultrasound) to check for complete stone clearance, and monitoring kidney function.
-
Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
-
Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy. MediFyr helps you compare urologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Retroperitoneoscopic Ureterolithotomy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated urology teams and experience managing patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy.
Ananya Verma, a 42-year-old architect and...
Ananya Verma, a 42-year-old architect and mother of two, had a history of recurrent kidney stones. For three agonizing weeks, she battled severe, colicky left flank pain that radiated to her groin, accompanied by nausea and visible blood in her urine. Painkillers provided only fleeting relief, disrupting her work and family life. A CT scan revealed a large, 1.8 cm stone lodged in her mid-ureter, too large and impacted for less invasive procedures like ESWL or ureteroscopy. Her urologist, Dr. Kapoor, recommended a retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy, explaining it as a minimally invasive keyhole surgery to directly remove the stone through her back, sparing her a large open incision. Ananya was terrified of surgery but trusted her doctor. The procedure went smoothly; she woke up with a drainage tube but was walking the next day. The relief from the relentless pain was immediate and profound. After a week, the tube was removed. At her one-month follow-up, she was pain-free, back to designing buildings and playing with her children. Her emotional journey shifted from constant anxiety and helplessness to immense gratitude and a renewed commitment to hydration and dietary prevention.
Urologists for Retroperitoneoscopic Ureterolithotomy
Explore experienced urologists who regularly perform retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 17 Years Experience
- Urologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 6 Years Experience
- Urologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Urologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 26 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Urologist
- 17 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 16 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Urologist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore