Kidney stone removal, at least, has four procedures / strategies:
1. Extracorporeal Shock-wave Lithotripsy ( ESWL )
Kidney stone removal of ESWL uses non-electrical shock waves that are produced out of the body to pass thru the skin and body tissues until the shock-waves hit the solid stones. The stones turn out to be sand-like and are passed.
For removal of this process, patient acre found in a tub of warm, purified water or onto water cushion machine that operates as a means for passing on these non-electrical shock-waves.
2. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy ( PNL )
Different from removal method discussed above, Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is regularly utilized when the stone is large or in a spot that doesn’t permit efficient use of ESWL.
In this process of kidney stone removal, the surgeon makes an insignificant incision in the back and makes a tunnel immediately into the kidney. By means of an instrument called a nephroscope, the stone is positioned and removed. For huge stones, an energy probe (ultrasonic or electro hydraulic) perhaps required to break down the stone into smaller pieces for removal.
The advantage of this procedure over lithotripsy is the physical removal of the stone fragments rather than relying on their natural passage from the kidney to the outside.
3. Ureteroscopic Stone Removal
Ureteroscopic stone removal is done by passing a small fiberoptic instrument ( an ureteroscope ) thru the urethra and bladder into the ureter. The surgeon afterward locates the stone and either removes it with a cage-like tool or breaks it with a selected instrument that creates a sort of shock-wave. A small tube ( or stent ) presumably left in the ureter for over one or two days after treatment to help the liner of the ureter to heal.
This removal process is operated under common anesthesia to treat stones found in the middle and lower ureter. Small stones are removed and large stones are damaged by a laser or similar machine.
4. Open ( incisional ) Surgery
This last removal methodology for kidney stone includes opening the area affected and removing the stone ( s ). In this process, run in an operating room after someone has been given anesthesia, the surgeon creates an incision in the skin and unlocks the pelvis of the kidney or the ureter so that the stone can be by hand removed.
For more passing kidney stones naturally see this page on Remove Kidney Stones – Why?