Kidney & Ureteral Stones

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Potential Risks and Complications

With experience, the possibility of complications has decreased. Although this procedure has proven to be very safe, as with any operation there are risks and potential complications. Potential risks include:

  • Bleeding: Blood loss during this procedure is possible, but unlikely. You can expect to have some blood in your urine for a few days. If you are interested in autologous blood transfusion (donating your own blood) you must make your surgeon aware.
  • Infection: All patients are treated with intravenous antibiotics, prior to starting the procedure to decrease the chance of infection from occurring after the surgery. If you have symptoms of infection before the surgery (fever, burning or pain with urination, urinary urgency or frequency, cloudy or foul smelling urine, pain or anything that you may be concerned about) inform your doctor immediately. This will need to be treated. If any of theses symptoms occur after the procedure please contact your doctor at once for treatment.
  • Tissue / Organ Injury: Although uncommon, possible injury to surrounding tissue and organs including urethra, bladder, ureter, and kidney could require further surgery. Although rare, injury to the ureter may require open surgery or multiple surgeries to repair the ureter. Injury could occur to nerves or muscles related to how you are positioned on the operating table.
  • Conversion to Open Surgery: This procedure may require conversion to an open operation if difficulty is encountered during the operation. This could result in a larger standard open incision and possibly a longer recuperation period.
  • Failure to Remove the Stone: There is a possibility that the stone may not be able to be removed due to the size of the stone, equipment problems or your anatomy. Additional treatment may be required.
  • Stricture: The ureter may become occluded (blocked) from scar tissue formation. This may require further major surgery to correct.
  • Avulsion of the Ureter: Avulsion of a ureter is a tear in the ureter, which can normally be repaired surgically. In rare circumstances, it may be necessary to do a ureteral reimplant, auto transplantation or nephrectomy.