Stone Center

Patient and family education is individualized based on family history and risk for stone formation. Providing information about diet, medication and exercise to prevent stones is key to minimizing recurrent stone formation and maximizing kidney function.

Care is provided on an individualized basis.  Children with stones may have other complex medical conditions.  Our Stone Center team has the ability to consult with other pediatric medical specialties such as cardiology, pulmonology and neurology to meet the specialized needs of your child.

This treatment involves use of a small telescope (ureteroscope) to access stones in the ureter (tube that goes from the bladder to the kidney) or kidney. No cut in the skin is needed since the scope enters at the urethra (opening which allows urine to exit body), proceeds to the bladder and the ureter.

When the stone is seen it can be removed with a basket-like tool. If the stone is large, a laser can be used to break it into very small pieces. 

A ureteral stent may be placed after the ESWL or ureteroscopy procedures. It may also be placed without any other procedure, to assist the stone to pass down the ureter.

The stent is a thin, flexible tube that extends from the kidney to the bladder. It prevents blockage of urine due to swelling or buildup of stone fragments. The stent cannot be seen from outside the body.

Contact sports and physically strenuous activities must be avoided.

The child may feel some discomfort, and feel the urge to urinate often. The urine may appear pink or red. These symptoms will disappear when the stent is removed several weeks later.

Antibiotics and a medication to stop bladder spasms (from irritation of the bladder wall by the stent) will be prescribed. 

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used when a very large stone is located in the kidney or when other treatments fail. A small cut is made in the lower back and a small telescope is inserted into the kidney. Once seen, the stone can be broken into smaller pieces and removed.

Nephrostomy Tube Procedure

A nephrostomy tube is a small, flexible, rubber tube that is surgically inserted through the skin into the kidney to drain urine. The urine collects in a bag outside the body. 

This procedure may be needed to prevent kidney damage and infection if something, such as a kidney stone, is blocking normal urine drainage through the ureter (tube connecting kidney to bladder).

Nephrostomy tubes are placed by specialists in the interventional radiology department, using general anesthesia. The procedure takes about an hour.

After the procedure, discomfort is usually mild and will be treated with pain medication. Once we are sure the tube is draining properly, your child may be discharged. A nurse will teach you how to take care of the tube at home.

Once the kidney stone or other blockage has been taken care of and the tube is no longer needed, it will be removed.