Dr. Anup Ramani is one of the best Uro oncologist, Surgeon in Mumbai, India providing Robotic Surgery and Treatment for Prostate Cancer, Kidney Tumor Surgery/Stone Removal, Urinary Bladder Cancer and Adrenal Gland Treatment, Enlarged Prostate Surgery and treatment, Penis Cancer/Partial Penectomy/Robotic Pyeloplasty Surgery and Treatment.
Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube

Dr Anup Ramani @ Copyright 2024

The Growing Popularity of URS and RIRS for Treating Complex Kidney Stones in Pediatric Patients

12 Dec
By Dr. Anup Ramani
Share At:
Google AI ChatGPT Grok Perplexity

Listening Article

Objective

URS (Ureteroscopy) and RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) are quickly becoming preferred methods for treating kidney stones in children. These minimal invasive procedures offer a safer and more effective way to treat complex kidney stones without the need for large surgical cuts. This article explores how URS and RIRS are improving pediatric kidney stone care by reducing trauma, ensuring faster recovery and delivering excellent long-term results.

Why URS and RIRS Are Emerging as the Leading Treatments for Complex Pediatric Kidney Stones

Traditionally, the surgical removal of kidney stones in children involved invasive techniques like open surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). While these methods are effective, they come with risks such as longer hospital stays, higher complication rates and greater trauma to the body. This is especially concerning in pediatric patients, whose bodies are still developing.

URS and RIRS have emerged as leading options for kidney stone removal by surgery in children due to their minimal invasiveness. Both procedures allow surgeons to access and treat kidney stones without any external cuts. URS involves using a small scope through the urethra and bladder to reach the ureter, while RIRS goes further into the kidney using flexible tools.

These procedures are performed through natural urinary pathways, making them ideal for pediatric patients. There’s less pain, reduced hospital stay and quicker recovery, which are all essential when treating young children. The precision and safety offered by URS and RIRS have made them the first choice for surgery of kidney stone in pediatric cases, especially in top centers offering kidney stone treatment in Mumbai and other advanced medical facilities.

How Advancements in Pediatric-Sized Ureteroscopes Improve URS and RIRS Success Rates

One of the biggest reasons for the success of URS and RIRS in children is the development of smaller, pediatric-friendly ureteroscopes. In the past, adult-sized instruments were often too large for use in small urinary tracts. This limited the use of minimal invasive procedures in children and increased the chances of complications.

Today, manufacturers have developed fine, flexible ureteroscopes specifically designed for pediatric use. These scopes are thinner and more flexible, allowing surgeons to navigate narrow ureters and small kidneys without causing damage. This innovation has drastically improved success rates in kidney stone removal surgery for children.

Additionally, modern pediatric ureteroscopes are equipped with high-resolution cameras and excellent lighting. This allows the surgeon to see the stones clearly and treat them with precision. These tools also allow better access to all parts of the kidney, including hard-to-reach areas like the lower pole calyces.

Thanks to these advancements, surgical procedures for kidney stones in children have become safer and more effective. With better access and visualization, pediatric urologists can now remove complex kidney stones with greater success using URS and RIRS surgery for kidney stone.

Email Dr. Ramani for Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery

Managing Complex Pediatric Kidney Stones: Why URS and RIRS Outperform Traditional Surgical Methods

Complex kidney stones in children – such as large stones, multiple stones or stones in difficult-to-reach locations – used to require open surgery or PCNL. While these approaches can be effective, they are invasive and often require longer recovery times, hospitalization and a higher risk of complications.

In contrast, URS and RIRS offer a gentler and more efficient way to treat these cases. URS can be used to treat ureteral stones, while RIRS is suitable for stones located deeper in the kidney. Both techniques avoid the need for large incisions or external punctures, significantly reducing the surgical trauma experienced by the child.

Parents and pediatricians now favor URS and RIRS because they are not only safer but also deliver equal or better outcomes than older methods. These procedures minimize pain, bleeding and infection risks, while providing excellent stone clearance. This makes them ideal for use in children, who are more sensitive to physical stress and longer hospital stays.

As a result, kidney stone extraction surgery in pediatric patients has shifted toward endoscopic techniques, offering better quality of care and a higher level of comfort for young patients and their families.

What Our Patients Are Saying

"Dr. Anup Ramani is incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to answer all our questions. His commitment to healing and caring for others is truly inspiring. Highly recommend."
Dhara Sodha
On Google

Precision Stone Removal in Children: The Role of High-Power Laser Technology in URS and RIRS

A critical part of URS and RIRS success is the use of laser lithotripsy to break down kidney stones into tiny fragments or dust. In pediatric cases, this is especially valuable because it allows for the gentle and precise treatment of stones without damaging delicate kidney structures.

Surgeons commonly use Holmium:YAG lasers or newer Thulium fiber lasers during these procedures. These lasers are highly effective in fragmenting stones of all sizes and types, regardless of their location in the kidney or ureter.

Laser technology offers several advantages for removing a kidney stone surgery in children. It enables accurate targeting of the stone, avoids unnecessary force or pressure and reduces the need for larger instruments to extract fragments. In many cases, the laser dusts the stone into particles small enough to pass naturally in urine, reducing the need for additional steps.

Because children’s kidneys are smaller and more delicate, precision is critical. Laser lithotripsy provides a high level of control during surgical removal of kidney stones, improving safety and outcomes significantly.

Safety Advantages of URS and RIRS in Protecting Delicate Pediatric Kidneys

Safety is always a top concern when performing any surgery on children, especially when it involves the kidneys. URS and RIRS offer significant safety benefits compared to older surgical techniques.

These procedures are performed without external incisions, which means there is no large wound, minimal bleeding and a lower chance of infection. The small instruments used in URS and RIRS are gentle on tissues and reduce the risk of damaging the kidney or ureter. This is especially important in children, whose organs are still growing and more sensitive to trauma.

Additionally, these techniques are performed under visual guidance, allowing surgeons to monitor every step of the procedure in real time. This reduces the chances of unexpected complications and helps ensure that the stone is completely cleared without harming nearby structures.

Because of their excellent safety profile, URS and RIRS kidney stone removal are now widely recommended for pediatric cases, particularly for patients who need repeat surgeries or have chronic stone formation.

Treating Challenging Stone Locations in Children With URS and RIRS

One of the biggest advantages of RIRS, in particular, is its ability to treat stones in tricky parts of the kidney – such as the lower pole, narrow calyces or areas with unusual anatomy. These are places where traditional surgeries often fail or cause more harm.

The flexible ureteroscope used in RIRS can bend and twist to navigate deep into the kidney and reach hidden stones. Combined with laser fragmentation, this allows doctors to break the stone safely and avoid open surgery.

In URS, doctors can use thin scopes to remove stones in the ureter, even if the ureter is narrow or twisted. These scopes offer a clear view and precise control, which is essential when working in small spaces.

Both URS and RIRS make it possible to treat complex stones in children with minimal discomfort and excellent success rates. These procedures provide a real solution for patients who previously had few safe options for surgical procedures to remove kidney stones.

Post-Procedure Recovery and Comfort: Why Pediatric Patients Benefit More From URS and RIRS

One of the major advantages of URS and RIRS is how quickly children can recover after the procedure. Since these surgeries do not involve large incisions or external cuts, children experience less pain, minimal swelling and fewer complications.

Most pediatric patients can go home the same day or within 24 hours. They are usually up and walking shortly after the procedure and can return to normal activities in a few days. This fast recovery is a huge relief for both children and their families.

Also, there’s little need for strong pain medications or long-term hospital care. Children feel more comfortable and less anxious and parents feel more confident about the treatment process.

Compared to open surgery or PCNL, URS and RIRS are clearly more comfortable and manageable for young patients, making them a better choice for kidney stones operation in pediatric cases.

Call us for Kidney Cancer Treatment

Long-Term Outcomes: Increased Clearance Rates and Lower Recurrence With URS and RIRS in Pediatric Cases

In the long run, the goal of any surgical procedure for kidney stones is not only to remove the stone but also to prevent it from coming back. URS and RIRS have shown excellent long-term outcomes in pediatric patients.

These procedures achieve high stone clearance rates, even in complex cases. Because they allow direct visualization, surgeons can ensure that all stone fragments are removed or properly broken down. This lowers the chance of leftover fragments growing into new stones.

Studies have shown that children treated with URS and RIRS have lower recurrence rates and fewer repeat surgeries. These outcomes are encouraging, especially for children who are prone to forming stones due to genetic or metabolic conditions.

Thanks to advancements in technology and surgical skill, URS and RIRS surgery for kidney stone are now among the most reliable and effective treatments for pediatric kidney stone patients.

FAQs

They are less invasive, safer and offer quicker recovery than traditional surgery, especially in complex cases.

No, they cause very little pain as they don’t involve external cuts and most children recover quickly.

Yes, they are very effective in treating difficult-to-reach or multiple stones using laser and flexible tools.

Yes, these procedures are safe for repeat use and are commonly used in children with recurring stones.

By using small, flexible instruments and lasers, URS and RIRS avoid cutting through kidney tissue, making them much safer for growing kidneys.

About Author

Recent Blogs

Dr. Anup Ramani is one of the best Uro oncologist, Surgeon in Mumbai, India providing Robotic Surgery and Treatment for Prostate Cancer, Kidney Tumor Surgery/Stone Removal, Urinary Bladder Cancer and Adrenal Gland Treatment, Enlarged Prostate Surgery and treatment, Penis Cancer/Partial Penectomy/Robotic Pyeloplasty Surgery and Treatment.

Best Uro-Oncological surgeon
Specialist in India for Robotic Surgery
MCh, DNB, MS, DNB
Dr. Anup Ramani

Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Tumblr Pinterest

MENU

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

Dr. Anup Ramani
Uro-Oncologist in India,
Best Robotic Surgeon for Uro Oncology Surgery

1407, One Lodha Place Next to World Towers Senapati Bapat Marg, Worli, Mumbai. 400013.

Dr Anup Ramani @ Copyright 2024 – Website Maintenance, SEO & GEO by Opal Infotech

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

  • Robotic adrenalectomy is a sophisticated, complex surgery and it is very important that an experienced surgeon performs this surgery to avoid major complications.

  • Once the anesthesia is done, and patient positioned, three 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 adrenalectomy takes one hour.

  • 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 may be 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, if kept, is removed in the room on day 2 after surgery.

  • The catheter is removed on day two after surgery.

  • Total hospital stay for robotic adrenalectomy 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 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.