KIDNEY STONE TREATMENT PROGRAM

Urinary stones have afflicted mankind since ancient times, and it is estimated that several hundred thousand Americans suffer from stone disease each year. In 1877, Dr. John W. S. Gouley wrote that in treating stone disease "the exercise of sound judgment is quite as important as the highest degree of operative skill". Though the past century has witnessed remarkable technological advances in the treatment of urinary stones, these principles still hold true. Our goal in kidney stone treatment, under the direction of Dr. Weiss and Dr. Perrotti, is to manage patient discomfort, evaluate the urinary tract and any underlying metabolic abnormalities, and to institute in a timely manner, therapy which results in a stone free status. Advances in extracorporeal lithotripsy (ESWL) and the use of small fiberoptic telescopes (endourology), have resulted in dramatic improvements in urinary stone management. The current treatment modalities available at the Kidney Stone Treatment Program are state-of-the-art and include electrohydraulic and ultrasonic stone fragmentation through percutaneous and endoscopic telescopes, ESWL, oral therapy, and chemolysis. Because of these minimally invasive approaches, and combined therapy when indicated, traditional open surgery is rarely required. After full evaluation and treatment, patients receive counseling as to decrease the likelihood of future stone recurrence. Most stone formers can decrease symptomatic stone recurrence by diet modification and oral medication. Patients with underlying medical renal disease will benefit from our close collaboration with nephrologists at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. First time stone formers, as well as those with frequent stone recurrence and complicated urologic history, are good candidates for this program.