✦ Kidney Stone Treatment

URSL with Holmium Laser

Q: What complications can URSL cause?

Serious complications are uncommon (<2%). These include ureteric injury, significant haemorrhage, and post-operative infection. Minor burning and haematuria are common and resolve within days.

Q: Will I need a stent after URSL?

Yes. A temporary DJ stent is placed to maintain ureteric drainage and removed at 2–4 weeks as a quick outpatient cystoscopy — most patients find removal straightforward and well tolerated.

Q: How soon can I return to normal activity?

Most patients go home the same day and return to light activities within 2–3 days. Physical labour is avoided for 1–2 weeks, or until the DJ stent is removed at 2–4 weeks.

Precise holmium laser fragmentation of ureteric and renal stones — minimally invasive, no incision, same-day discharge, with stone-free rates exceeding 95% in a single session.

45–90 min PROCEDURE

Day Care / 1 Day HOSPITAL STAY

>95% SUCCESS RATE

3–7 Days RECOVERY

What is URSL with Holmium Laser?

Ureteroscopy with Holmium Laser Lithotripsy (URSL) is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure in which a flexible or semi-rigid ureteroscope is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to reach the stone. A holmium laser fibre fragments the stone into fine dust or small passable pieces, which are washed out or retrieved with a basket. No skin incision is made. The procedure is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia and achieves stone-free rates exceeding 95% for ureteric stones in a single session with rapid recovery.

Suitable for patients with ureteric or renal stones up to 2 cm, those on anticoagulation therapy, patients who have failed shockwave lithotripsy, or anyone requiring same-day discharge with rapid return to normal activities.

How the Procedure Works

Scope Insertion

Ureteroscope is passed transurethrally into the ureter under direct vision; a safety guidewire is coiled in the renal pelvis throughout.

Stone Assessment

Stone is identified and a holmium laser fibre is introduced through the working channel, positioned 1–2 mm from the stone surface.

Laser Fragmentation

Laser pulses fragment the stone into fine dust or small pieces using dusting or fragmentation technique depending on stone hardness.

Fragment Retrieval

Stone fragments are retrieved with nitinol baskets or flushed out with irrigant; the ureter is inspected to confirm complete clearance.

Stent Placement

A double-J ureteric stent is placed over the guidewire; correct position is confirmed fluoroscopically before the scope is withdrawn.

Outcomes

45–90 minDURATION

Day Care / 1 DayHOSPITAL STAY

>95%SUCCESS RATE

3–7 DaysFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Patients with ureteric stones causing pain, obstruction, or recurrent infections needing fast clearance.
→Those on blood thinners where URSL avoids any external puncture or incision.
→Patients who have failed shockwave lithotripsy or where stones are inaccessible by ESWL.
→Anyone needing same-day discharge with rapid return to work and activities.
→Patients with a solitary kidney needing the safest, most controlled stone-removal method.
→Those with lower ureteric stones where URSL achieves the highest stone-free rates — over 97%.

"URSL with holmium laser is our first-choice procedure for ureteric stones. Modern flexible scopes and high-frequency laser technology give us excellent stone-free rates with minimal discomfort and very rapid recovery for our patients."

— — Dr. Vipin Reddy, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

What complications can URSL cause?+

Will I need a stent after URSL?+

How soon can I return to normal activity?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Vipin Reddy and get a personalised treatment plan.

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