The laser energy literally vaporizes the stone in to dust like particles that are washed out in the urine. Through this tube is passed an endoscope, much larger than the ureteroscopes that are passed up through the ureter. Through this large endoscope, many different devices can be used to remove stones or tumors from within the kidney. In this segment, an ultrasonic lithotrite is being used. This hollow probe vibrates very quickly, fragmenting the stone immediately in front of the probe.
Suction is applied through the probe to aspirate the fragmented particles.
This provides very rapid removal of large stones, with much less discomfort and tissue damage than would occur with open surgery to remove the stone. Laparoscopic Removal of Kidney Kidneys need to be removed for a variety of reasons, including infection, pain, obstruction, and cancer. In this video segment, a branch of the main vein of the kidney is being isolated, clipped and then incised. Careful control of all of the attachments of the kidney in this manner allows the safe removal of the kidney. The final portion of the video segment pans across the main renal vein and then the surface of the kidney, demonstrating the excellent visualization provided by laparoscopy.