Top 10 Questions Patients Ask Before URS/RIRS Kidney Stone Removal Surgery
By Dr. Anup Ramani
If you’re scheduled for kidney stone ureteroscopic stone removal (URS) or RIRS kidney stone treatment, you’re likely dealing with a lot of questions. And that’s completely normal. These are modern, minimal invasive procedures that have become the go-to options for treating stones lodged in the kidney or ureter-especially when medication and hydration haven’t helped.
Whether you’re consulting a kidney stone specialist in Mumbai or elsewhere, having the right information before your surgery can ease anxiety and help you feel more prepared. From how the procedure works to what recovery looks like, this guide tackles the most common questions patients ask before undergoing surgery of kidney stone via URS or RIRS.
Let’s explore through it together-clear, simple and straight to the point.
1. What is the difference between URS and RIRS for kidney stone removal?
Great question. URS (Ureteroscopy) and RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) are both endoscopic procedures used for kidney stone surgical treatment, but they differ slightly in approach and target location.
- URS focuses on removing stones located in the ureter (the tube between the kidney and bladder).
- RIRS reaches deeper into the kidney itself using a flexible scope.
Both techniques use laser energy to break the stones and remove fragments and neither involves external cuts or incisions.
2. Is the procedure painful? Will I be awake?
Not at all painful during the procedure itself. URS and RIRS are performed under spinal or general anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing. Afterward, mild discomfort or a burning sensation while passing urine may occur for a few days, but it’s usually manageable with prescribed medications.
Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how tolerable the recovery process is after kidney stone removal by surgery.
3. How long does the surgery take?
The actual procedure to remove kidney stones generally takes about 40-50 minutes. This can vary depending on the size and location of the stone(s) and whether you need a URS or RIRS.
You’ll usually spend just one night in the hospital. That means you’ll go home the next day after catheter removal, assuming all goes smoothly.
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4. What’s the recovery like after surgery?
Recovery is pretty straightforward. Most patients:
- Walk around the same evening after surgery
- Are discharged within 24 hours
- Resume normal office work within a week
- Can return to full activity (including exercise) after 4 weeks
It’s much faster than older methods of surgery for kidney stones, which often required longer hospital stays and healing time.
5. Will I need a stent or catheter? and why?
Yes, most patients will have both temporarily.
- A ureteral stent is placed inside your urinary tract to keep the passage open and allow healing. It’s removed about 6 weeks later.
- A catheter is used to drain urine post-surgery. It’s usually taken out the next day before discharge.
Both help reduce complications and are essential parts of kidney stone ureteroscopy recovery.
6. How soon can I return to work or normal activities?
This depends on your job type and overall health, but generally:
- Desk job? You’re likely good to go within a week.
- Physically demanding job or intense sports? Wait at least 4 weeks.
The key is to let your body adjust gradually, especially after kidney stone removal procedures like RIRS.
7. Are there any risks or side effects I should know about?
As with any procedure, there are potential risks, but serious complications are rare. Some possible side effects include:
- Burning while urinating
- Mild blood in urine
- Discomfort due to the stent
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
These are temporary and treatable. Your prostate cancer surgeon or urologist will also give you medications to ease symptoms if needed.
8. What about follow-up visits?
You’ll have a follow-up appointment about 6 weeks later to remove the stent. If you’ve had RIRS
urology procedure, this visit is non-negotiable. The stent is important for post-op healing, but it
shouldn’t be left in for too long.
In some cases, a scan or X-ray may be done to ensure that no stone fragments remain.
9. What’s the success rate of URS/RIRS?
Very high, especially for stones under 2 cm. For RIRS kidney stone procedures, success rates exceed 90% in many cases. For larger or multiple stones, you might need staged procedures, but the outcome is still favorable.
That’s why these methods have become preferred options in kidney stone surgical treatment over traditional open surgery.
10. What is the cost of RIRS surgery in India?
The cost of RIRS surgery in India varies depending on the hospital, surgeon’s experience and region. This includes anesthesia, hospital stay and consumables like stents. If you’re under insurance, it usually covers the procedure-do check in advance.
Conclusion
Undergoing kidney stone removal by surgery can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the procedure, things become clearer. URS and RIRS are well-established, minimal invasive techniques offering high success rates, quick recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional surgeries.
With the guidance of an experienced kidney stone specialist in Mumbai or your local urologist, you’ll be back on your feet in no time-and hopefully stone-free for good. Never hesitate to ask your urologist these questions-they’re essential for making informed decisions about your health.
FAQs About URS/RIRS Kidney Stone Removal Surgery
What is URS or RIRS kidney stone removal?
URS (Ureteroscopy) and RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) are minimal invasive procedures used to remove stones from the ureter and kidney, respectively, using a scope and laser without any incisions.
Is RIRS a painful procedure?
No, RIRS is performed under anesthesia and is generally painless. Mild discomfort may occur during recovery, but it’s usually manageable.
How long do I need to stay in the hospital after RIRS surgery?
Most patients stay for one night and are discharged the next day after catheter removal.
Is a stent always necessary after kidney stone surgery?
In most cases, yes. A temporary ureteral stent helps with healing and is removed around six weeks after the procedure.
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PARTIAL PENECTOMY
- Partial penectomy is done in cases where glans and distal penis is involved with carcinoma.
- Partial penectomy is a type of organ-preserving surgery. Preservation of sexual and micturational function depends on the surgical dissection and reconstruction of residual urethra.
Kidney Stone Removal
- Patients who develop stones in the kidney or ureter, often experience severe pain.
- This condition usually needs a procedure to remove the kidney stones.
- This procedure is called ureteroscopy and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anesthesia.
- The scope is inserted through the penis into the kidney and stones are dissolved with a laser.
- The procedure takes about 40-50 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder. A stent is kept in the kidney at the same time.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is one night and patient is discharged the next day after removal of the catheter.
- Patient has to come back after six weeks to remove the stent in the kidney.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
- Men with an enlarged prostate, which is a normal ageing changes, often experiencing difficulty passing urine. This condition usually needs a procedure to trim the prostate and relieve the blockage.
- This procedure is called TURP and is performed very commonly.
- It does not require any cuts and hence it is painless.
- The procedure is performed with an endoscope inserted through the penis under spinal anaesthesia.
- The overgrown prostate is dissolved with a laser bloodlessly.
- The procedure takes about 40 minutes.
- A catheter (urine pipe) is kept after the procedure to drain the bladder.
- Patient is mobile and walking in the room the same evening.
- Hospital stay is two nights and patient is discharged with the catheter, which is removed after 4 days.
- Patients can resume office a week after surgery and heavy activities like running, weight lifting, a month after the procedure.
- We offer fixed packages for this procedure which can be obtained by calling our helpline +91 9967666060.
ROBOTIC ADRENALECTOMY FOR ADRENAL GLAND TUMOUR
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Robotic adrenalectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
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Once the anesthesia is done, and patient positioned, three micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
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The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
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Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
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On an average, a robotic adrenalectomy takes one hour.
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The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
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A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
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A tiny drain pipe may be inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
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Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
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The drain pipe, if kept, is removed in the room on day 2 after surgery.
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The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
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Total hospital stay for robotic adrenalectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
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Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home. Almost all patients are back to work within 2 weeks of surgery.
Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after an adrenalectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.
ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR BLADDER CANCER
- Dr. Ramani is one of the very few surgeons in India who has the expertise to perform a robotic surgery for bladder cancer, which includes removing the urinary bladder and reconstructing a new bladder robotically.
- Robotic radical cystectomy is an extremely sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, six micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit takes 3-4 hours.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the new bladder is inserted during surgery.
- Two tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth for 4 days after surgery with IV supplementation of patient’s daily requirements of calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and electrolytes.
- The drain pipes are removed in the room on day 3-5 after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical cystectomy is 8 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self-sufficient. They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 6 weeks of surgery. Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after two months.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
Follow up after a radical a cystectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
Histopathology report: Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consult. Depending on the report, patient may or may not need chemotherapy after surgery.
If chemo is needed, patients may choose to get it done with a medical oncologist of their choice or avail the services of one of the four medical oncologists on our team.
ROBOTIC RADICAL/PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY FOR KIDNEY CANCER
- Robotic partial nephrectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications. Robotic radical (total) nephrectomy is
- relatively easier but still requires significant experience to consistently deliver results.
- Once the anaesthesia is done, and patient positioned, five micro cuts (3mm each) are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- The arms of the Da Vinci robot are connected to the cuts via ports (tubes).
- Dr. Ramani then sits in the controlling console to perform the surgery.
- On an average, a robotic radical nephrectomy takes one hour and a robotic partial nephrectomy takes about an hour and half.
- The surgery is almost completely bloodless and there has never been any need to transfuse blood after surgery.
- A urine catheter and bag to drain the bladder is inserted during surgery.
- A tiny drain pipe in inserted in the surgical side of the abdomen, connected to a bag.
- Patient is kept nil-by-mouth the day of the surgery, with IV fluids. Sips of water are started the next day and solid food by day three.
- The drain pipe is removed in the room on day 3 after surgery. The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.
- Total hospital stay for radical/partial nephrectomy is 4 nights (including night before surgery).
- Post discharge, a doctor from the surgical team visits the patient at home/ hotel room once every day.
RETURN TO ACTIVITY
- On the day of discharge, patient is totally self- sufficient.
- They are able to walk freely without any pain, dress themselves, shower, toilet and they do not need to hire any nurse or help at home.
- Almost all patients are back to work within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
- Heavy activities like running, weight lifting can be resumed after a month.
FOLLOW UP AFTER SURGERY
- Follow up after a radical/partial Nephrectomy is in the form of CT scans, once a year for 5 years.
- Local patients usually meet Dr. Ramani after two weeks to discuss report.
- Outstation patients are counselled on a phone consultation.