Volunteer Community Hospital (VCH) Enhances Procedure for Elimination of Kidney Stones

Volunteer Community Hospital (VCH) has one of the most accurate methods possible for eliminating kidney stones. 

One of the tasks of the kidney is to filter out waste products of the body and deposit them into the urine.  These impurities dissolve in the urine and are flushed out naturally.  When these impurities do not dissolve completely they remain in the kidney.  Small crystals form and stick together creating kidney stones.  This condition is called renal stone disease.  About 5% of all women and 10% of men have a kidney stone once in a life time.  Kidney stones usually appear in people between 20-45, and occasionally develop in children.  After the age of 50 the incidence rate declines.  Kidney stones, especially common in dry, hot countries and are seen more often in Caucasians than people of African descent.  The most common causes of kidney stones are dehydration and over nutrition.

Symptoms associated with kidney stones are usually undetected during formation.  As the stones move into the urinary tract they can be accompanied by the following symptoms:  sudden and severe pain in the back and side, frequent, burning or slow urination, blood in urine, and fever, nausea and/or vomiting.  The size of a kidney stone may vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters.  Many stones pass naturally through urination however; some stones, due to their size, will become lodged in either the kidney or the ureter.  If the patient shows symptoms of a urinary stone, the physician will diagnose the problem using either x-ray or ultrasound imaging.  

Now available at VCH for the treatment of such kidney stones, the DUR-HL20 Holmium: YAG 20W Laser
Laser lithotripsy is the fragmentation of calculi, known as kidney stones, using the laser.  The laser light is transferred to the stones through a conductive fiber made of quartz/energy.  The heat absorption of the laser light by the calculus leads to the fragmentation of the stone regardless of its chemical composition.  The laser energy employs the most accurate method possible for eliminating every stone in every part of the collection system with maximum control and minimal tissue damage. 

This new procedure can be performed any day of the week at VCH.  Another example of VCH providing specialized care at your local hospital.  For more information please call 588-3271.