Bladder Stone Treatment-Experienced Urologist in NYC
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation to discuss treatment for bladder stones or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Treatment Options for Bladder Stones
In general, the bladder stones should be removed promptly to prevent complications caused by untreated bladder stones and to address the symptoms caused by bladder stones such as frequent urination, frequent UTI, and blood in urine.
There are no known ‘natural’ treatments for bladder stones that work. Drinking a lot of fluids does not help with the dissolution of bladder stones. There are no vitamins or supplements that have proven effectiveness in dissolving bladder stones.
In general, minimally invasive surgical procedures are used to break and remove bladder stones from the bladder. The modern approach to the treatment of bladder stones is very effective.
A variety of treatment options are available to address bladder stones in men. Such as:
Cystolitholapaxy (litholapaxy)
A cystoscope (a miniature tube with a camera at the distal end) is inserted into the urethra to visualize bladder stones. Once stones are located, ultrasound waves, laser or mechanical methods are utilized to break the stone into smaller pieces to facilitate the removal. The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia. At New York Urology Specialists, we typically use high-energy Holmium laser that allows for quick, effective and precise fragmentation of bladder stones.
Some rare complications of procedure include; urinary tract infection, tear in the bladder wall and bleeding.
Most patients are able to go home the same day; some patients may need to stay in the hospital overnight especially if they have large bladder stones and enlarged prostate.
Open Litholapaxy
In patients with multiple large stones or a very large stone, open surgery through a small 5’’ incision in the lower abdomen is recommended to remove the stones.
Robotic or laparoscopic surgery for Bladder Stones
Robotic surgery for bladder stones is associated with low complication rate and short recovery period since the extraction is performed under 3-D visualization. In addition, the risk of scarring and infection is also low, with most people resuming their day-to-day activities within a couple of weeks. Because the open surgical incision is typically small and heals well, there is no significant advantage of robotic surgery for the treatment of bladder stones.
ESWL for Bladder Stones
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a popular method of intervention for the management of kidney stones, but it is considered less effective for management of bladder stones. Treatment with ESWL can be tricky due to adjacent pelvic bones. ESWL is not usually covered by insurance in the US for treatment of bladder stones and rarely performed.
What to Expect After Bladder Stone Removal Procedures?
Recovery after bladder stone removal is fairly quick. Some patients require a urinary catheter for anywhere from a few days to 1-2 weeks. Most men are able to return to work within a couple of days. Blood in the urine may occur for the first few weeks after the procedure. Patients may experience burning during urination (dysuria).
Patients with an enlarged prostate may require additional treatment for enlarged prostate.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating men and women with urinary problems including bladder stones, frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary urgency and incontinence.
We see patients from all parts of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island), Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey as well as other parts of the USA. We also see international patients from Canada, Japan, South America, Russia, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.