Kidney stone disease affects 10% of people between the ages of 20 and 60, with men twice as susceptible to the condition as women. The rate of new cases is increasing in developed countries. The main causes of kidney stone disease are poor diet and insufficient fluid intake. It can also be caused by certain metabolic conditions.
The size of the stones – or calculi – can range from that of a grain of sand to several centimetres, with the largest being coralliform stones. The main symptoms are haematuria, pain and infection, with renal colic attacks common enough to represent 2% of admissions to emergency units.
Treatment options
Small stones can be eliminated spontaneously by natural means. However, if the stone is not eliminated within a reasonable length of time, or is still painful, surgery will be necessary. The method of surgery depends on the size, location and nature of the stone.
Porgès Coloplast offers a wide range of disposable products to support endourologic and percutaneous procedures, including Dormia® stone extractors, ureteral stents, ureteral catheters, balloon dilation, ureteral access sheath, guidewires and percutaneous nephrostomy kits.
After kidney stone treatment, it’s important to identify and treat the risk factors behind the patient’s kidney stone disease. This is done by performing a metabolic assessment, which involves analysing the stone and conducting a dietary survey and biological examinations.
Download Dietary guidelines available for urologists (pdf 1.347Kb)