Introduction
Kidney stone pain can be sudden, severe and difficult to ignore. But once a stone is diagnosed, one of the first
questions patients usually ask is: “Will it pass on its own, or do I need surgery?”
The answer depends on several factors—not simply the size of the stone.
What determines kidney stone treatment?
A urologist considers stone size, stone location, degree of urinary obstruction, symptoms and severity of pain,
presence of infection, kidney function, previous history of stones, and likelihood of the stone passing naturally.
When can a stone be observed?
For selected patients with a small stone, no infection, no significant obstruction and manageable symptoms, a doctor may recommend observation with appropriate medication and follow-up. But “wait and see” should not
mean ignoring the problem.
When does a kidney stone need intervention?
A procedure may be considered when the stone is unlikely to pass, causes persistent or severe symptoms, creates significant obstruction, is associated with infection, or affects kidney function. One minimally invasive option is laser stone treatment.
What is laser kidney stone surgery?
During endoscopic stone treatment, the urologist can access the urinary tract using specialized instruments and
use a laser to fragment the stone into smaller pieces. The approach depends on the location and size of the stone. At Ashirwad Hospital, Dr. Yogesh Kaje performs Holmium laser surgery for kidney stones as a minimally invasive treatment option.
Does every kidney stone require laser surgery?
No. There is no single treatment that is right for every stone. Some stones can be managed conservatively, while
others may require shock-wave treatment, ureteroscopy/laser treatment or another procedure. The best treatment depends on the individual stone and the patient.
When is kidney stone pain an emergency?
Seek urgent medical attention if you have severe or worsening pain, fever or chills, vomiting with inability to keep
fluids down, difficulty passing urine, blood in urine with other concerning symptoms, or known obstruction with
signs of infection.
Can kidney stones come back?
Yes. Having one kidney stone increases the possibility of developing another in the future. Depending on your
history, a urologist may recommend dietary changes, hydration strategies, stone analysis or metabolic evaluation
to reduce recurrence risk.
A kidney stone does not automatically mean surgery—but delaying the right treatment can sometimes put your kidney at risk.
The right question is: “What is the safest and most effective treatment for my particular stone?”
Consult Dr. Yogesh Kaje, MCh – Urology, at Ashirwad Hospital, Kharadi, Pune for an individualized evaluation.
