Patients suffering from kidney stones often find this a recurring and painful ailment. Laser treatment for the fragmentation of the stones is fast and causes minimal damage with immediate results. A new addition to the Asiri Hospital Urology Department, the MegaPulse stone laser is helpful in most cases of kidney stones.
This state-of-the-art ureteroscope is passed through natural channels in the body and involves no skin incisions. Consultant Urologist at Asiri Surgical Hospital (ASH) Dr. Anura Wijewardane, said, “This is one of the latest and safest forms of treatment for patients suffering from stones in the kidney. This method allows us to fragment the stones to minute particles through this laser. In particular, it is perfect for hard stones that are resistant to external treatment.”
The stone laser is used to vaporize tumours through the combination of flexible instruments allowing easy access to any part of the urinary tract, and the elimination of any strictures. This procedure involves a special telescope passed through the urethra, bladder and into the ureter to the stone giving physicians more options to treat stones in the bladder, ureter and kidney. The telescope, which may be rigid or flexible, allows entry into all parts of the kidney so that all stones can be removed or vaporised provided they are of an appropriate size and accessible. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and is minimally invasive and well tolerated by all patients.
Dr. Pawan Gupta, a pioneer in India in flexible ureteroscopy, explaining the procedure said this is the safest of all kidney stone operations that is available. Dr. Gupta was carrying out this procedure at the Asiri Surgical Hospital with Dr. Wijewardane, treating around six patients a day. Patients can go home after surgery within a couple of hours, Dr. Gupta said.
It helps patients have a speedier and more comfortable procedure experience and prevents them from developing stones in the future, Dr. Wijewardane added. |
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