Kidney Stones

[Guest]

I have recently been diagnosed with a Staghorn kidney stone. It's been there (we're guessing) since I was a little girl (I'm now almost 36) and growing ever since. Needless to say, the damage done is not correctable. The affected kidney is functioning at 20%. I am in constant pain, back and front. No energy at all. We're discussing removing the kidney. How will I know if that's the right option? removing kidney VS. removing stone (via perc)
What is the average hospital stay when removing kidney? recovery time?
Thanks!
Amy

[Guest]

Removing the kidney is a major operation. You are looking at 5-6 days in the hospital with a period of about 6 weeks to really recover. A kidney that is funtioning at 20% is right on the borderline. If less than 20%, we usually recommend removing the kidney.

Much will depend on the skill and experience of the surgeon with regards to percutaneous surgery to try and remove the stone. Also, exactly how big and the shape of the stone may determine whether it's reasonable to even attempt removing it.

A number of major university medical centers have urologists who do these types of procedures regularly and I would suggest you get a second opinion from one of them. Some well recognized experts would include:

Demetrius Bagley in Philadelphia
Marshall Stoller in San Francisco
Ralph Clayman in Irvine, California and
Jim Lingeman in Indianapolis.

There are others of course, but these are some of the better known experts.

Don't forget to ask about a 24 hour urine test for kidney stone prevention. Whether this kidney is salvageable or not, you will need to avoid future stone formation and development.

Stephen W. Leslie, MD
[quote] I have recently been diagnosed with a Staghorn kidney stone. It's been there (we're guessing) since I was a little girl (I'm now almost 36) and growing ever since... [/quote]

[Guest]

Thank you for your quick and thorough reply. I really appreciate the time you've taken to answer my question.

-Amy
[quote] Removing the kidney is a major operation. You are looking at 5-6 days in the hospital with a period of about 6 weeks to really recover... [/quote]

[Guest]

You're welcome and good luck.

Stephen W. Leslie, MD
[quote] Thank you for your quick and thorough reply. I really appreciate the time you've taken to answer my question... [/quote]

[Guest]

Just kind of "Checking In".
We've decided to do the perc., knowing that it may take 2 to get all the stone removed due to the size involved. It is scheduled for 6-11. A Dr. Bill Shirrell is doing the procedure, out of Indianapolis. He suggested I would come home on the 12, and probably back to work on the 24th, or there abouts.
Any suggestions?
Thanks ahead of time for your response!
[quote] You're welcome and good luck.

Stephen W... [/quote]

[Guest]

I don't know Dr. Shirrell personally. You may want to ask him his experience and success rate with similar procedures. Since you are already going to Indianapolis, you can also get an opinion from Dr. Jim Lingeman who is considered one of the "gurus" of percutaneous stone removal surgery.

Stephen W. Leslie, MD
[quote] Just kind of "Checking In".
We've decided to do the perc... [/quote]

[carlso]

Hello -- I know it has been some time since you wrote about your kidney stone. I was just wondering about the Staghorn stone. I thought these were made of struvite and cause constant infections. But you mentioned you perhaps had it since you were a small girl but did not have infections. I hope all went well with your surgery. Are you fine now with no relapse since 2002?