Anyone who has had renal colic remembers it: a pain in the side so fierce that sitting still is impossible. Kidney stones are common, and most small ones pass on their own. Larger or stubborn stones can now be removed through natural passages or a keyhole, usually with a short stay. This guide explains which treatment suits which stone — and how to stop the next one.
Small stones: often no operation at all
Many stones under about half a centimetre pass by themselves within a few weeks, helped by pain relief, plenty of fluids and sometimes a medicine that relaxes the ureter, the tube from kidney to bladder. Stones that sit quietly in the kidney and cause no symptoms are sometimes simply watched with scans.
Some situations are emergencies and cannot wait for travel: a fever or shivering with a blocked kidney, a single working kidney that is blocked, or pain you cannot control. Go to an emergency department; the blockage may need draining the same day.
For everything else, a low-dose CT scan shows the stone’s size, position and density, which decide the best treatment. Our US$99 consultation includes two calls, so a urologist can review your scan and a second urologist can confirm the plan.
Which treatment for which stone
- Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). Shock waves from outside the body break the stone; the fragments pass in the urine. No cuts, but it does not suit hard or larger stones.
- Ureteroscopy (URS). A thin telescope passed up through the bladder reaches stones in the ureter, and a laser breaks them.
- RIRS (retrograde intrarenal surgery). A flexible ureteroscope goes all the way into the kidney to laser stones there. No cuts on the skin; often a day or overnight stay.
- PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy). A keyhole through the back into the kidney, for large stones — typically over 2 centimetres — or staghorn stones. Mini-PCNL uses a smaller tract.
After URS, RIRS or PCNL, a soft tube called a stent is often left between kidney and bladder for a week or two. It can feel uncomfortable, and it must be removed — in India before you fly, or by a urologist at home. Make sure you know which, and never leave one in place longer than planned.
What it costs
| Mini-PCNL | 1,895 |
|---|---|
| Large stone RIRS (over 2 cm) | 1,684 |
| Standard PCNL | 1,579 |
| Medium stone RIRS (1–2 cm) | 1,263 |
| Small stone RIRS (up to 1 cm) | 1,000 |
PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad estimates by procedure (June 2026), upper end of each range, converted at ₹95 per US$. UK comparison: Newcastle Private Healthcare guide prices from £2,700 (ureteroscopy) and £6,500 (PCNL), updated June 2024. Indian figures are hospital-published estimates, not quotes; your own estimate comes after a doctor reviews your reports.
The number and size of stones, both sides or one, laser time, disposable scopes and the stent all move the price. Ask whether the stent removal and a follow-up scan are included. Package prices are per person and exclude flights.
Your week, step by step
- Send your CT scanPlus urine and kidney blood tests if you have them
- Urologist reviewWait, shockwaves, RIRS or PCNL — explained on a call
- Arrival and testsUrine culture, blood tests, repeat imaging if needed
- ProcedureUnder anaesthesia; usually 1–2 nights for RIRS, a few days for PCNL
- Stone analysisThe fragments are sent to the lab
- Stent planRemoval date agreed — in India or at home
- Prevention planFluids, diet and any medicines, based on the stone type
- Fly homeWhen the urologist clears you
Stopping the next stone
Once you have had one stone, there is a good chance of another, so prevention is part of treatment. The single most useful habit is drinking enough to keep your urine pale throughout the day, especially in hot climates. Knowing what your stone is made of — calcium oxalate, uric acid or another type — lets the doctor tailor advice on salt, protein, oxalate-rich foods and, sometimes, medicine. Do not cut out calcium-rich foods unless a doctor tells you to.
Families from hot countries in the Gulf and Africa, and outdoor workers anywhere, are especially prone to stones because the body loses so much water through sweat. Keep a refillable bottle in sight, and drink more on hot days and after exercise.
- Ask for the stone analysis report and keep it.
- Ask whether a 24-hour urine test would help you.
- Plan a scan in a year, or sooner if pain returns.
सोध्नुपर्ने प्रश्न
- Could this stone pass on its own?
- Why this procedure rather than shockwaves, RIRS or PCNL?
- Will I have a stent, and when and where will it come out?
- What is the chance I need a second procedure?
Read about health check-ups in India, kidney care while travelling, compare costs, or book a consultation and send your scan.
Independent research. Figures are quoted from the official and published sources listed below, as they stood when we checked them (October 2026). BookMedTrip is an independent facilitator and is not affiliated with any government body, hospital, charity or organisation named here, and receives no commission from them. If anything here is out of date or inaccurate, please write to care@bookmedtrip.com and we will correct it.
प्रश्नहरू
How much does RIRS cost in India?
PACE Hospitals publishes about ₹60,000–2 lakh or more (about US$630–2,100), depending on the size and number of stones and whether both kidneys are treated.
What is the difference between RIRS and PCNL?
RIRS reaches the kidney through the natural urinary passage with a flexible scope and no skin cut. PCNL makes a keyhole through the back and is used for large stones, usually over 2 cm.
Do all kidney stones need surgery?
No. Many stones under about 5 mm pass on their own with fluids, pain relief and sometimes medicine. A urologist decides from a CT scan.
