New technique to remove kidney stones

Ludhiana : Two children in the age group of 4-6 were operated upon for kidney stones by Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, professor, urology and head transplant, DMCH, recently. Percutaneous technique (key hole) was used by the doctor. Earlier, the removal of kidney stones in children required open surgery, but now with the availability of technological innovations and expertise, these stones can be removed through key-hole surgery. According to Dr Aulakh, in children its is difficult to visualise the kidney system, as it is difficult to put dye into the kidney through retrogradic technique. Hence, ultrasound is done and a needle puncture is made in the kidney through which a guide wire is placed in the kidney system. After placing the wire, a 0.5mm tract is made. Through this tract, stones are removed with the help of a special camera. In children, stones are usually found in the bladder. Symptoms of kidney stones are pain in belly or back, blood in the urine (hematuria) and nausea or vomiting. However, some children, do not show symptoms. These are silent stones which can cause long-term damage to the kidney. Dr Aulakh said children who have had kidney stones in the past, had the highest risk of developing a stone in future. Similarly, not drinking enough water or other fluids could also be a major risk factor. Other risk factors were diets that included a small amount of carbohydrates called ketogenic diets and congenital (from birth) abnormalities in kidneys, ureters or bladder.