Robotic-Assisted Kidney Stone Removal
Robotic-assisted surgery is an increasingly popular option for kidney stone removal, especially in patients who were born with a kidney drainage problem.When kidney stones form that are too large to naturally pass through the urinary tract, they can become lodged in the kidneys or the junction point for the kidney and the ureter, called the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). This can cause significant pain and interrupt normal urinary function.
These stones can often be dealt with through non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive laparascopic procedures that break them down so they can be passed by the body. However, for some complicated stones, and for patients who were born with a UPJ obstruction, robotic-assisted surgery can be performed to both remove the stones and repair the ureteropelvic junction.
What Are the Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Kidney Stone Removal?
Tampa General Hospital is the first hospital in Florida to offer kidney stone removal using the most advanced robotic technology. We utilize the da Vinci® Surgical System, which allows a camera and three surgical instruments to fit inside a tube that passes through a single one-inch-wide incision. Because a single incision is utilized, surgeons are able to take a minimally invasive approach for all types of surgeries, even those that are more complex.Robotic-Assisted Kidney Stone Removal Details
The da Vinci® Surgical System allows for improved surgical precision, as it increases the surgeon’s range of motion, agility and visualization. It features a camera that provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view, so the surgeon can make more precise incisions that produce less scarring. During the procedure, the surgeon will use a scope to locate the kidney stone, break it down and draw the pieces out.What to Expect With Robotic-Assisted Kidney Stone Removal
Robotic-assisted surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and patients typically experience less blood loss than those who go through open surgery. For a patient suffering from problematic kidney stones, having them removed using minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery usually means:
- Less pain
- A shorter hospital stay
- A lower risk of infection
- A shorter recovery period
How Effective Is Robotic-Assisted Kidney Stone Removal?
Robotic-assisted kidney stone removal is a convenient and highly effective option for patients with kidney stones that can’t be removed through non-surgical procedures such as shockwave lithotripsy.
At TGH, our urology team utilizes a comprehensive, multispecialty approach that results in better-than-expected patient outcomes.