The basic cause of kidney stone occurrence is unknown, but wrong food habits and inadequate fluid intake are to be blamed. Other conditions such as urinary tract infection, gout, arthritis, hypercalciuria (increased calcium levels in urine), enlarged prostate, thyroid disorder, etc are also known to cause urinary stones.

Symptoms constitute problems with the normal urinary process including discomfort, pain and irritability. When the stone obstructs the urine flow, the ureter dilates and stretches causing muscle spasms giving rise to immense gripping pain (renal colic); felt in flank, lower abdomen, groin or leg of affected side. Some stones are called ‘silent’ as they cause no pain. Other kidney stone symptoms include blood in urine (hematuria), increased frequency of urination, fever/chills, nausea/vomiting, pain/burning during urination etc.

Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate (HoLEP) is used in the management of enlarged prostate. In this, Holmium laser is used to remove the obstructive tissue and also to seal the blood vessels. In this procedure, a resectoscope is inserted into the urethra through penis. Then a 550 micron fibre attached to the 100 watt Holmium laser machine is passed through it, which enucleates the excessive prostatic tissue. The enucleated gland is then pushed into the bladder, which is then shred into smaller pieces and sucked out using a device called Morcellator. The procedure takes around 15-90 minutes, depending upon the size of the prostate gland. HoLEP is almost bloodless as the laser beam seals the blood vessels also. At the end of the surgery, a catheter is inserted to keep the bladder empty. The catheter is usually kept for 24–48 hours. After the catheter removal, patient is discharged.

No there is no known link between the two. They are formed in different areas of the body under different systems.

Stones during pregnancy demand conservative treatment. Surgery, if required may be done – ureteric stenting/PCNL, but only during the first half of the pregnancy term. ESWL is absolutely contraindicated.

OMMON CAUSES OF STONE FORMATION ARE: Supersaturation of urine by decreased intake of water and/or hot environmental conditions leading to loss of body fluid by perspiration, and in breathing. Urine infection where crystals deposit on and around the infection causing organism, and the stone grows over the period in the supersaturated urine. Diet rich in oxalates, uric acid. Functional or structural obstruction of the urinary system can precipitate the stone formation, like Pelvi-Ureteric Junction (PUJ) obstruction, Ectopic kidney etc.