Dr Theron conducts the following procedures to remove kidney stones from the kidney, bladder or ureter:

• Endoscopic treatment can be done with a cystoscope and uretero-renoscope together with a basket to retrieve kidney stones. Dr Theron will insert the cystoscope or ureteroscope through the urethra to see the rest of the urinary tract. Once the stone is situated, it can be removed or broken up into smaller pieces. This will be performed in the hospital under anaesthesia.
• Laser fragmentation is used if the stones are too large to be removed with a basket alone. By means of a thin camera device, your urologist can see inside the urinary tract and access kidney stones. Dr Theron carefully guides the scope through the urethra to the ureter or kidney to reach the stone. Next, he passes a laser fibre via the scope, which releases an energy beam to destroy the stone. The basket moving through the scope catches the remaining fragments.
• ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy)
  Multiple shock waves are used during this procedure to aim sound waves at the stones via the body. The sound waves break down the kidney stones into smaller fragments that should pass easily through urine in the days following the procedure. Because of possible discomfort caused by the treatment, anaesthesia is needed during this procedure. .
• PCNL (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy)
  Very large kidneys stones can be removed by gaining access to the kidney via a puncture hole through the patient's back. The stone is then fragmented, and the pieces removed. This is a minimally-invasive means to remove large or complex stones manually. This will be performed in the hospital with anaesthesia.
• Surgical removal
  Another kidney surgery is rarely used to resect stones. However, very large bladder stones can be removed with open surgery, with a cut over the bladder.