Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Picture of nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy uses a small incision in the person's back to remove kidney stones. The surgeon puts a hollow tube into the kidney and a probe through the tube. In nephrolithotomy, the surgeon removes the stone through the tube. In nephrolithotripsy, he or she breaks the stone up and then removes the fragments of the stone through the tube.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerTushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology
Last RevisedApril 28, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 28, 2011
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Tushar J. Vachharajani, MD, FASN, FACP - Nephrology

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