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Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Left and right kidneys in person's back, with detail inside kidney showing kidney stone broken into pieces and being removed through tube.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and nephrolithotripsy are procedures in which a small incision is made in a person's back to remove kidney stones. In both cases, the doctor puts a tube into the kidney and a scope through the tube. In nephrolithotomy, the doctor removes a stone through the tube. In nephrolithotripsy, the stone is broken up and the fragments of the stone are removed through the tube.

Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
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