Kidney stones are one of the commonest problems affecting humans. Kidney stones are usually formed by deposition of calcium oxalate crystals within the urine. Kidney stones cause obstruction to the flow of urine and as a result can cause damage to the kidneys and infection.

Kidney stone surgery was in the past always by open surgery and therefore was always a major procedure and had significant pain and morbidity. Today kidney stone surgery has been revolutionized with the availability of laser energy. Laser energy is a highly focused light energy which can destroy the stones.

The second invention which has revolutionized kidney stone surgery is the invention of fiberoptic telescopes, which are very fine and flexible. Therefore the surgeon can perform kidney stone surgery, by introducing the telescope via the urinary tract or via a small incision in the back and then can visualize the stone with augmented reality vision.

Today kidney stone surgery is performed with augmented reality vision. This is the third advancement. The kidney stone surgeon uses high-definition camera systems which are medical grade. Then the stones are seen in a magnified vision with augmented clarity. Therefor the vision is superior to what the surgeon can see with the naked eye.

Therefore, kidney stone surgery stands revolutionized today with the advent of these three inventions, laser energy, advanced fiberoptic telescopes, and augmented reality camera systems. Now we can perform kidney stone surgery with minimum blood loss and trauma and the patient can recover and return to normal life fast.

The average stay in hospital has reduced to 48-72 hours and the patient can return to normal life within two weeks of the surgery.

The cost of these kidney stone surgeries is generally less than one lakh rupees and the loss of work due to rest at home is also minimum.

So be healthy and have perfect kidney health,

Dr Avishek Mukherjee MS MCH

Head urosurgeon and transplant and uro-cancer surgeon

NKPC Kidney clinic