Not every kidney stone needs an operation. Small stones often pass on their own with fluids and medicines. Kidney stone treatment in Ahmedabad depends on the size, position and type of the stone, whether it is blocking the kidney, and whether there is infection. When removal is needed, it is usually done by minimally invasive methods — shock wave treatment, a fine telescope through the urinary passage, or a small keyhole in the back.
At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, kidney stone removal is listed among the urological surgeries, with a 24-hour emergency operating team. This page explains when a stone needs treatment, the tests, the treatment options, recovery, prevention and risks.
What Is a Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones (renal calculi) form when substances in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid or phosphate, become concentrated and crystallise. Stones can be as small as a grain of sand or, less commonly, large enough to fill the inner part of the kidney (a staghorn stone).
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Not drinking enough fluid, especially in hot weather
- A diet high in salt or animal protein
- Excess body weight and diabetes
- A family history or a previous kidney stone
- Some medical conditions, such as overactive parathyroid glands, gout or certain bowel diseases
- Repeated urinary infections, or blockage of urine flow
- Some medicines
Symptoms
- Severe, cramping pain in the loin or back, often spreading to the lower abdomen or groin, and coming in waves (renal colic)
- Blood in the urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Burning, frequent or urgent urination
- Fever and chills, if there is infection
Some kidney stones cause no symptoms and are found on a scan done for another reason.
Signs That Need Emergency Care
- Pain with fever or chills — a blocked, infected kidney
- Passing very little or no urine
- Pain that cannot be controlled with medicines
- Repeated vomiting
- A stone in a person with only one working kidney
How Kidney Stones Are Diagnosed — Step by Step
A kidney stone treatment doctor in Ahmedabad uses the history, examination and tests to find the size and position of the stone, which decide the treatment.
- Medical history and examination: pain, fever, previous stones, other illnesses and medicines
- Urine test: for blood and infection; urine culture if infection is suspected
- Blood tests: kidney function, blood count, and calcium and uric acid levels
- Ultrasound: a radiation-free first test, also useful in pregnancy and children; it can show swelling of the kidney (hydronephrosis)
- Non-contrast CT scan (CT KUB): the most accurate test for the size, position and hardness of the stone
- Stone analysis: a passed or removed stone is sent to the laboratory to find its type
- Metabolic tests: blood and 24-hour urine tests for people with repeated stones, to find a treatable cause
- Treatment plan: the doctor explains whether the stone can be watched or allowed to pass, or needs removal, and the benefits and risks of each option
Will the Stone Pass, or Does It Need Removal?
Size and position are the main guides. The table is general information; the decision is made for each patient.
| Situation | Usual approach |
| Small stone (up to about 5 mm), pain controlled, no infection | Often passes on its own with fluids and pain relief; a medicine to relax the ureter may be advised |
| Stone of about 5–10 mm | May pass; removal is considered if it does not pass, or if pain or blockage continues |
| Stone larger than about 10 mm | Less likely to pass; removal is usually advised |
| Small stone in the kidney causing no symptoms | May be watched with regular scans |
| Any stone with blockage and infection | Urgent drainage of the kidney, then stone treatment once the infection is controlled |
Kidney Stone Surgery in Ahmedabad and Other Removal Options
When a stone needs removal, kidney stone surgery in Ahmedabad is usually done by one of the minimally invasive methods below. The choice between them is made by a kidney stone removal specialist in Ahmedabad based on the size, position and hardness of the stone, the shape of the kidney, and the patient's health.
| Option | How it works | Generally used for |
| ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) | Shock waves from a machine outside the body break the stone into fragments, which pass in the urine; no cut | Smaller kidney and upper ureteric stones; may need more than one session |
| URS (ureteroscopy) | A thin telescope is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter; the stone is broken with a laser and removed; no cut on the skin | Stones in the ureter |
| RIRS (retrograde intrarenal surgery) | A flexible telescope is passed up into the kidney through the natural urinary passage, and the stone is broken with a laser; no cut on the skin | Kidney stones up to about 2 cm, and stones in difficult positions |
| PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) | A small tract is made through the back into the kidney, and the stone is broken and removed through it | Large kidney stones (generally over 2 cm) and staghorn stones |
| Open or laparoscopic surgery | Removal of the stone through an incision | Rarely needed today; for complex cases |
| Kidney drainage (DJ stent or nephrostomy) | A tube is placed to drain a blocked kidney | Emergency — blocked, infected kidney |
About the DJ Stent
A DJ (double-J) stent is a soft, thin tube placed inside the ureter, from the kidney to the bladder. It may be placed after URS, RIRS or PCNL, or to drain a blocked kidney. A kidney stone surgery specialist in Ahmedabad decides whether a stent is needed and when it should be removed — usually after some days to a few weeks, in a short procedure. A stent can cause discomfort, frequent urination, burning, or blood in the urine while it is in place.
Before Treatment
- CT scan or ultrasound to plan the procedure
- Urine culture; any infection is treated before the procedure
- Blood tests, ECG and other tests as advised, and a pre-anaesthesia check-up
- A check of all medicines; blood thinners may need to be stopped or adjusted, only as advised by the doctor
- Pregnancy test for women, where relevant — ESWL is not done in pregnancy
- Fasting instructions
- Written informed consent after the procedure, its benefits, risks and alternatives have been explained
Recovery After Kidney Stone Removal
| Procedure | What to expect |
| ESWL | Usually day-care; fragments pass over days to weeks; some blood in the urine and colicky pain as fragments pass are common |
| URS / RIRS | Usually a short stay; return to light activity in a few days; stent symptoms if a stent is placed |
| PCNL | Usually a few days in hospital; a tube in the back may be left for a short time; return to normal activity over a few weeks |
Recovery after kidney stone removal also depends on the size of the stone and whether a DJ stent is placed, which usually stays for some days to a few weeks.
When to Contact the Hospital After Treatment
- Fever or chills
- Severe pain not controlled by the prescribed medicines
- Heavy bleeding or large clots in the urine
- Passing very little or no urine
- Leakage or bleeding from a tube or wound in the back after PCNL
- Breathlessness or chest pain after PCNL
Preventing Another Stone
Kidney stones often come back. These steps help reduce the risk:
| Step | Why it helps |
| Drink enough fluid to pass about 2.5 litres of urine a day, unless your doctor has advised a fluid limit | Dilute urine makes stone formation less likely |
| Reduce salt | High salt increases calcium in the urine |
| Keep normal dietary calcium | Too little calcium can increase oxalate stones |
| Moderate high-oxalate foods and animal protein | These can increase stone risk in some people |
| Maintain a healthy weight | Excess weight increases stone risk |
| Metabolic tests and stone analysis for repeated stones | Find a treatable cause and guide preventive medicines |
Risks and Possible Complications
Stone procedures are generally safe, but each has risks. The doctor explains these before taking consent.
- Blood in the urine — common for a short time after most procedures
- Urinary infection or fever, and rarely sepsis
- Fragments left behind, needing another procedure
- Pain from passing fragments, or fragments blocking the ureter after ESWL
- Stent-related discomfort, frequent urination or bleeding
- Injury to the ureter during URS or RIRS, which may need a longer stent time; narrowing of the ureter later is rare
- Failure to reach the stone in a narrow ureter, needing a stent first and a second procedure
- Bleeding after PCNL, which may need transfusion or, rarely, a procedure to stop it
- Injury to nearby organs during PCNL, such as the bowel or the lining of the lung — rare
- Bruising or, rarely, bleeding around the kidney after ESWL
- Return of stones in the future
- Anaesthesia-related risks — assessed at the pre-anaesthesia check-up
Kidney Stone Treatment Cost in Ahmedabad
The cost differs from patient to patient. The main factors are:
- The procedure needed — ESWL, URS, RIRS or PCNL
- Size, number and position of the stones, and the number of sessions
- Whether a DJ stent is placed, and its later removal
- Planned or emergency treatment, and whether there is infection
- Investigations, such as CT scan and urine culture
- Length of hospital stay and room category
- Medicines and stone analysis
Because the method depends on the stone, the cost of kidney stone treatment in Ahmedabad can usually be estimated only after the scan and test results have been checked.
Some of these services may be arranged with other specialists or centres; the doctor explains this when planning treatment. A written estimate based on the patient's condition and chosen room category can be requested from the hospital.
Insurance
- Mediclaim and cashless facility is available, subject to the patient's policy terms and insurer approval
- Assistance is provided with documents required for reimbursement claims
Kidney Stone Doctor in Ahmedabad
Kidney stone procedures such as ESWL, URS, RIRS and PCNL are usually performed by a urologist. A family physician or an emergency doctor often sees the patient first, controls the pain and arranges the scan. Different doctors may be involved at different stages:
| Doctor | Role in kidney stone care |
| Family physician or emergency doctor | First examination, pain relief and initial tests; refers when a stone needs removal or the kidney is blocked |
| Urologist | Decides whether the stone can pass or needs removal, and performs ESWL, URS, RIRS, PCNL and DJ stent placement or removal |
| Radiologist | Performs and reports the ultrasound and CT KUB; may place a nephrostomy tube to drain a blocked kidney |
| Nephrologist (kidney physician) | Consulted for reduced kidney function, or for repeated stones that need metabolic evaluation |
| Anaesthetist | Checks fitness for the procedure and gives spinal or general anaesthesia |
| Dietitian | Advises on fluids, salt and diet to lower the chance of another stone |
Kidney Stone Treatment Doctor in Ahmedabad
Along with the questions listed in the FAQ below, these points are useful to clarify with your kidney stone treatment doctor in Ahmedabad before agreeing to a procedure:
- Is the kidney blocked or infected, and does it need drainage before the stone is treated?
- Is my kidney function normal on the blood tests?
- Which procedure is advised for my stone, and what are the other options?
- Who will perform the procedure, and where will it be done?
- If a DJ stent is placed, what symptoms should I expect, and on what date must it be removed?
- Will the stone be sent for analysis, and do I need tests to find the cause?
- What does the estimate include, and is the treatment covered by my insurance policy?
Treating Surgeon
At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, kidney stone removal in Ahmedabad is performed by:
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Dr. Alpesh Patel |
| Qualification | MBBS, MS (Civil Hospital, Surat) |
| Specialty | General & Laparoscopic Surgery |
| Designation | Founder, Tirtham Surgical Hospital |
| Registration status | Registered Medical Practitioner |
| Registration number | Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G14657 |
| OPD availability | On appointment, Mon–Sat |
| Emergency surgical services | 24-hour emergency operating team at Tirtham Surgical Hospital |
Facilities at Tirtham Surgical Hospital
- 24-hour emergency operating team
- Laparoscopic and endoscopic setup
- Mediclaim and cashless facility, subject to policy terms
- 6 themed recovery rooms
- Large parking facility
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a kidney stone doctor in Ahmedabad?+
What should I ask a kidney stone removal surgeon in Ahmedabad before the procedure?+
- What is the size and position of my stone, and can it pass on its own?
- Which procedure is suitable — ESWL, URS, RIRS or PCNL — and why?
- Will I need more than one session?
- Will a DJ stent be placed, and when will it be removed?
- How long will I stay in hospital, and when can I return to work?
- How can I prevent another stone?
Do all kidney stones need surgery?+
Which procedure will I need?+
When is a kidney stone an emergency?+
Do these procedures need a cut?+
Will kidney stones come back?+
What facilities should a kidney stone treatment hospital in Ahmedabad have?+
What decides the cost of kidney stone treatment?+
Is kidney stone treatment covered by health insurance?+
Contact and Location
Tirtham Surgical Hospital
3rd Floor, Silver Radiance 2, 312-315, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380060
- Call:
- +91-9428736360
- WhatsApp:
- +91-9428736360
- Landline:
- 079-27436360 | 079-40036360
- Tirtham SurgiMitra (second-opinion line):
- +91-9974416665
- Email:
- info@tirthamhospital.com
- Get Directions:
- Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad
- Emergency:
- 24-hour emergency operating team
- OPD timings:
- On appointment, Mon–Sat
Next step
Plan your procedure
Share your reports on WhatsApp for a guided opinion, or visit us on Science City Road for an in-person examination.
