Kidney Stone Operation Cost – Treatment Options and Expenses in India

Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from kidney stones. While Small stones can usually be flushed out of the body by pee, but bigger stones may need medical help, even surgery. Failure to treat kidney stones can result in renal damage, urinary tract infections, and excruciating agony.

Kidney stones can be treated in both public and private institutions in India. The type of surgery, hospital location, and physician skill all affect the cost. This article goes into great depth about the different kinds of surgeries for kidney stones, how much they cost, and ways to lower those costs.

What is a Kidney Stone?

The minerals and salts in your body build up into a hard, solid mass called a kidney stone. The stones range in size from a golf ball to a grain of sand. When urine has a lot of chemicals like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, which can crystallise and form solid masses, kidney stones form.

→ What Causes Kidney Stones and What Raise the Risk

There are a number of things that can cause kidney stones:

  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water makes pee more concentrated, which raises the risk of kidney stones.
  • Diet: Eating a lot of salt, oxalate-rich foods (like spinach, nuts, and tea), and animal protein can make you more likely to get kidney stones.
  • Family History: Some people are more likely to get kidney stones because of their genes.
  • Different Conditions in the body: Kidney stones can be caused by conditions like hyperparathyroidism, gout, obesity, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Some Medicines: Some medicines, like diuretics and calcium-based antacids, may make stones more likely to form.

 

→ Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The signs of kidney stones depend on how big they are and where they are in the urinary system. Some common signs are:

  • Sharp pain in the lower back, side, or lower belly that can spread to the groin is called severe pain.
  • Urine with blood in it can seem pink, red, or brown.
  • Frequent Urination— The need to go to the toilet a lot of the time.
  • Burning Sensation During Urination— It hurts to go to the toilet, especially if you have an infection in your urinary system.
  • Feeling sick and throwing up—This is because of the severe pain that comes with having kidney stones.

→ When is Surgery Needed?

Some kidney stones can be flushed out by pee, but surgery is needed when:

  • The stone is too big (it’s over 5 mm across).
  • The stone is causing constant pain that painkillers don’t seem to help.
  • When urine flow is blocked, the kidneys swell up. This is called hydronephrosis.
  • Because of the stone, the patient keeps getting urinary tract infections.
  • Kidney function is at risk because of the long-term blockage.

→ Types of Kidney Stone Surgeries & Their Costs

Surgery varies on stone size, location, and symptoms. The most common kidney stone removal surgeries are:

→ Lithotripsy (ESWL) – Non-Invasive Treatment

Procedure:

  • ESWL breaks kidney stones into urine-passable fragments with high-energy shock waves.
  • No incisions are needed for this outpatient surgery.

Best for:

  • Stones under 2 cm.
  • Patients who prefer non-surgical treatment.

Advantages:

  • Neither surgery nor hospitalisation needed.
  • Short recovery.

Disadvantages:

  • Large stones may take numerous sessions.
  • Fragments may move slowly, producing pain.

Cost in India: ₹30,000-₹80,000

→ Ureteroscopy (URS) – Endoscopic Removal

Procedure:

  • Lasers are used to find and remove or break stones through the urethra and bladder using a thin, flexible tube (ureteroscope).
  • The procedure is done under general or spinal anaesthesia.

Best for:

  • Ureter or bladder stones.
  • Patients that need precision stone removal.

Advantages:

  • Effective on small-to-medium stones.
  • Immediate stone removal.

Disadvantages:

  • Needs anaesthesia.
  • After operation, some bleeding or discomfort may occur.

Cost in India: ₹50,000-1,20,000

→ Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) – For Large Stones

Procedure:

  • A nephroscope is inserted through a small back incision to break and remove big kidney stones.
  • The surgery is minimally invasive and done under general anaesthesia.

Best for:

  • Big stones (>2 cm) that ESWL and URS cannot treat.
  • Complex kidney stone patients.

Advantages:

  • Highly effective at removing big stones.
  • Short hospital stay (2–3 days).

Disadvantages:

  • Needs a tiny cut.
  • Possible bleeding or infection.

Cost in India : ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,50,000.

→ Open Surgery – Rarely Used Today

Procedure:

  • Traditional kidney stone removal surgery with a bigger incision.
  • Used only when other therapies fail or anatomical difficulties exist.

Best for:

  • Extra-large or complicated stones.
  • People who cannot undergo minimally invasive procedures.

Advantages:

  • Effective for complex scenarios.

Disadvantages:

  • Extended hospitalisation and recovery.
  • Higher infection and complication risk.

Cost in India: ₹1,50,000-₹3,000,000

Kidney Stone Surgery Cost in India

There are a number of factors that determine the cost of kidney stone surgery in India. These considerations include the type of procedure, the facility that is selected, the city in which the procedure is performed, and any other medical fees. 

The cost of healthcare is drastically different between public and private hospitals. Private hospitals typically charge greater fees than public hospitals do because they have more modern medical technology, superior amenities, and more specialised medical professionals.

→ Factors Affecting the Cost

India’s kidney stone surgery costs are determined by a number of factors, including the following:

  • Compared to public hospitals, private hospitals typically have higher fees for their services.
  • Because of its location, the costs are higher in metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
  • Surgeons who have specialised skill typically demand higher prices than those who do not have such expertise.
  • Depending on the kind and size of kidney stone, more expensive procedures are required for more complicated cases or larger stones.
  • Diagnostic testing, drugs, hospital stays, and post-operative care are all additional expenses that contribute to the overall cost of the procedure.

In India, kidney stone surgery costs depend on the treatment, hospital location, and surgeon expertise. 

  • ESWL, a non-invasive treatment using shock waves to break stones, is considered one of the most economical alternatives, costing between ₹30,000 and ₹80,000. 
  • Ureteroscopy (URS) costs ₹50,000 to ₹1,20,000 and involved inserting a thin tube through the urinary tract to remove or break stones with a laser. 
  • The minimally invasive Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) operation for bigger stones costs between ₹1,000,000 and ₹2,50,000. 
  • Open surgery, typically reserved for complicated patients, is the most costly alternative, costing ₹ 1,50,000 to ₹3,000,000.

Many things affect these costs:

  • Private hospitals charge more than public ones.
  • Treatments in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore cost more than in smaller places.
  • Highly skilled urologists may charge more fees for consultations and surgeries.
  • Stone Size and Complexity may increase the cost of larger stones.
  • Pre-operative tests, anaesthesia, hospital stay, post-surgery medications, and follow-up consultations increase costs.
  • Health insurance frequently covers kidney stone procedures, or qualifying patients might apply for Ayushman Bharat financial aid. EMI options are available at many hospitals to help with finances. The right hospital and doctor can affect treatment success and cost.
  • Kidney stone procedures are covered by the majority of health insurance plans.
  • Ayushman Bharat and other government programs offer financial help to members of the population who are eligible for it.
  • Those who are unable to pay the total sum all at once can take advantage of the EMI choices and hospital financing plans that are offered.

The treatment of kidney stones can be quite pricey; nevertheless, if the appropriate method is taken, it is possible to efficiently reduce expenditures. 

The following are some practical approaches to cut costs without compromising the quality of care that patient receives.

  • Treatment at government hospitals and charity institutions is less expensive than at private hospitals.
  • Compare the prices of different centres and hospitals to find the best deals.
  • Teaching hospitals that are connected to medical schools usually offer better care at lower prices.

→ Home Remedies and Prevention Tips

  • As a rule, you should drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.
  • Changes to your diet: Eat less salt, sugar, and foods high in oxalate.
  • Increase Your Citrate Intake—Drinking lemon and orange juice can help keep stones from forming.
  • Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight raises the risk of getting kidney stones.

Conclusion

The cost of kidney stone procedures in India varies depending on the type of therapy, the hospital, and the location of the patient. Patients are able to efficiently control their medical expenses if they implement preventative measures, check their insurance coverage, and have a thorough awareness of the many treatment options available to them. The best way to manage kidney stones is to seek medical help as soon as possible if you encounter any of the symptoms associated with kidney stones.

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The Urology Clinic Navi Mumbai, led by Dr. Ninad Tamboli, a trusted urologist in Navi Mumbai, is your destination for expert urological care. Specializing in advanced treatments for urinary and reproductive health.

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