Urinary stones (urolithiasis) are a condition in which mineral deposits form and harden within the urinary tract, starting in the kidneys and moving through the ureters. When large stones are present in both ureters simultaneously, they can trigger serious complications such as acute urinary retention and acute renal failure.
Small stones may pass naturally with urine, but larger ones can cause severe pain and obstruct the flow of urine by blocking the ureter. Patients in emergency situations often arrive at the hospital in extreme pain, sometimes in the middle of the night when immediate surgery is not feasible. In such cases, physicians may perform temporary interventions such as percutaneous nephrostomy to restore urine flow from the kidney to the bladder and stabilize the patient's condition. However, these temporary measures do not address the root cause—the stone itself.
The appropriate treatment for urinary stones depends on the size and location of the stone. While extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is commonly attempted first, some stones cannot be resolved this way. Stones located in areas difficult to reach with ESWL, stones that are too large or too small, or multiple stones may require endoscopic surgery. Rigid endoscopy is primarily used to remove stones in the lower ureter, while flexible endoscopy is useful for stones in the kidney and upper ureter.
Endoscopic surgery demands a high degree of precision and technical skill. When choosing a urology clinic, patients should verify that the facility is equipped with modern tools and technologies, staffed with experienced physicians capable of handling complex stone cases, and provides comfortable pre- and post-operative care spaces.
Dr. Ryu Je-man of Goldman Urology (Seoul Station branch) stated, "Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical for urinary stones. Timely and accurate treatment can prevent kidney damage and effectively manage pain. Since large stones discovered incidentally—without pain—have sometimes caused severe kidney function impairment before being treated, I strongly recommend seeking prompt professional medical attention at the first sign of urinary stones."