Kidney Stones

If you suffer from kidney stones, you want relief as fast as possible. The specialists at Columbia Urology can help eliminate your stones and help determine the best way to keep them from recurring. We offer access to the latest medical and surgical treatments and will determine the best options for you based on your symptoms and the type of kidney stones you have. Our specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating all types of kidney stones and related conditions.

Columbia Expertise

Endourology is the minimally invasive, endoscopic treatment of urologic disease and includes treatment of:

• Kidney, ureteral, and bladder stones
• Upper urinary tract kidney cancers (urothelial carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma)
• Ureteral obstruction, including ureteral strictures and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction
• Benign prostate hyperplasia/hypertrophy (BPH)

Our endourologists are committed to the preservation of kidney function whenever possible and specialize in nephron-sparing (kidney saving) techniques in the treatment of urinary tract malignancies and obstructions, in addition to kidney stone disease.

We specialize in the ureteroscopic and percutaneous treatment of urothelial malignancies and have one of the largest experiences in the country regarding the management of transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma) of the ureter and kidney. We are actively engaged in research to promote kidney preservation while freeing the patient of this type of disease. The endoscopic approach can treat and prevent progression of tumor, however it requires a strict surveillance plan to prevent and treat recurrences and to keep kidney function optimized.

We also specialize in the removal of more extensive cancers of the upper urinary tract (kidney and ureter) via a laparoscopic or robotic approach. These minimally invasive approaches allow patients to benefit from less pain, improved cosmesis, and quicker return to normal activities.

We also have significant experience in the endoscopic and laparoscopic/robotic treatment of ureteral strictures/scarring and UPJ obstruction. Our goal is symptomatic relief, resolution of the obstruction, and preservation of renal/kidney function.

Our endourology and voiding dysfunction programs are also actively involved in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy (BPH). We have several urologists who have expertise in minimally invasive BPH treatment approaches, especially via laser technology. Our experience allows us to treat prostate glands of all sizes, including more complex cases, such as large glands, previously operated on glands, and treatment of patients who have issues regarding anticoagulation and bleeding disorders. These surgeries are typically outpatient and require minimal postoperative urethral catheterization following the procedure (generally less than 24-48 hours).