Kidney Stone Treatment & Prevention

Kidney Stone Treatment and Prevention

What are the treatment options for kidney stones?

When kidney stones don't pass by themselves, there are several surgical and medical treatment options. Specialists in UCLA Urology’s Division of Endourology—providing services at our Westwood, Santa Monica, and Santa Clarita facilities—offer comprehensive state-of-the-art and minimally invasive care for kidney stones.

Surgical options include:

• Non-invasive extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) - This procedure involves the use of ultrasonic waves to pulverize the kidney stone into smaller pieces so they can pass more easily.
• Ureteroscopy (URS) - This procedure involves passing a fiberoptic camera up into the ureter or kidney without any incisions, allowing the surgeon to use a laser to fragment the stone and a small basket to remove the pieces.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - This procedure involves using a small hole directly into the kidney through the back to break up and remove larger kidney stones.
• Cystolitholapaxy – This procedure involves endoscopic removal of stones from the bladder, which may have come down from the kidney or formed in the bladder.

Medical management is available to aid in the passing of some stones and for prevention of future stones. When stones are deemed small enough to pass without requiring surgery, medications such as tamsulosin can be prescribed to help pass certain kidney stones by relaxing the muscles in the ureter. Various medications are used for kidney stone prevention. They seek to reduce the acidity of urine or reduce the amount of calcium and uric acid in the urine. 

Our specialists utilize state-of-the-art operating rooms that are equipped with the latest technology including ultra-thin flexible and rigid ureteroscopes, high-definitive digital cameras, and a variety of lasers and endoscopic instruments. Our providers are all fellowship-trained and perform an amazingly high-volume cases. As a result, UCLA has a reputation for successful management of stones in even the most difficult scenarios, and most of our patients are able to go home the same day after surgery. 

Kidney Stone Prevention

Are there prevention programs for kidney stones?
Specialists in UCLA Urology’s Division of Endourology concentrate not only on the treatment of kidney stones but also on prevention once the initial stone is removed. Our specialists synthesize information obtained from kidney stone analysis and 24-hour urinary collection to make personalized dietary and medical recommendations for our patients.

One of the best preventative measures against kidney stones is proper fluid intake. It is recommended that you drink at least 8 glasses or 3 liters of water each day. Other general diet and prevention recommendations include:

• Moderate calcium (1000-1200 mg/day)
• Low sodium (less than 2300 mg of salt/day)
• Low refined sugar (less than 100 g/day)
• Decrease oxalate (40-50 mg/day of foods such as beets, spinach, sweet potatoes)
• Decrease intake of animal protein (1 serving/day)
• Increase citrate (lemons and limes)
• Increase intake of fruits and veggies
• Increase dietary insoluble fiber (18-22 g/day of foods such as whole grains and nuts)
• Magnesium supplement (for calcium stones)
• Potassium supplement (for uric acid and cystine stones)

All treatment and prevention recommendations are determined on an individual basis by our kidney stone management experts.

For an appointment with a kidney stone specialist, please call 310-794-7700.