Kidney Stone Treatment in Israel

Kidney stone removal in Israel is performed by experienced specialists who use a rich set of modern methods – traditional surgery, minimally invasive percutaneous procedures, and non-contact stone removal using sound waves.

Urolithiasis is the formation of concretions on the inner surface of the kidneys, consisting of mineral and organic substances. Such deposits form as a result of metabolic disorders and kidney function and can reach several centimeters in diameter, often causing obstruction of the ureters and acute pain attacks.

30%

of diagnoses made in CIS countries are disproved at Top Ihilov clinic

100%

high-precision diagnostic program

- hour support in Russian

Table of contents

Treatment methods

Diagnosis

Prices

Typically, kidney stone treatment is only required when they are of a sufficiently large size, exceeding several millimeters, while smaller stones can be passed out with urine on their own. Kidney stone removal in Israel is performed using several effective techniques – lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods of Kidney Stone Removal

Extracorporeal Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal lithotripsy is a non-invasive method of breaking kidney stones using high-intensity sound waves. The generator of these waves is positioned opposite the kidney, while the doctor is guided by X-ray or ultrasound data. Passing through soft tissues, sound waves reach the kidney stones, causing destructive physical effects (resonance, cavitation, etc.). The stones break into smaller pieces, which can then be easily passed out naturally. To facilitate the passage of stones, a stent may be used to widen the urinary tract. The most effective results are achieved by nephrologists at Top Ihilov clinic using lithotripsy for stones sized 4-20 mm.

Ureteroscopy

Kidney stone treatment – urologists and nephrologists with extensive experience Ureteroscopy is a diagnostic examination of the urethra using endoscopic equipment (ureteroscope). The ureteroscope is inserted into the urethra, then into the bladder and ureter. The procedure can be used not only for diagnostic purposes – when small stones that have come out of the kidney are found in the lower part of the urethra, they can be immediately removed using the same ureteroscope. The endoscope can also be inserted directly into the renal pelvis (in which case the procedure is called pyeloscopy) and used for breaking and removing stones up to 2 cm in size. In this case, the device is equipped with laser optics for stone destruction and special containers for extracting the crushed fragments.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

This minimally invasive procedure involves the removal of stones from the kidney through a small incision in the skin, where endoscopic equipment (nephroscope) is inserted. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and is used for removing stones larger than 20 mm. Before the procedure, a retrograde pyelography is performed – an X-ray examination of the kidneys with contrast, allowing for precise localization of the stone. If the stone is significantly large, it may first be broken into smaller fragments using an ultrasound probe.

Litholysis

If the kidney stones mainly consist of urates – salts of uric acid, they can be dissolved rather than broken. By acting on such stones with solutions of alkaline reaction drugs, they can be converted into a water-soluble form. Such a drug is delivered to the renal pelvis and calyces through a catheter inserted into the ureter or through drainage tubes inserted percutaneously.

Diagnosis of Kidney Stones in Israel

The diagnosis of kidney stones in Israel lasts 3-4 days and includes several types of examinations.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

First Day – Specialist Consultation

Upon arrival in the country, a representative of Top Ihilov clinic – a case manager – meets the patient directly at the airport. Together with him, the patient goes to check into a hotel, and then – to the clinic for the first consultation with the leading urologist. The specialist studies the medical history and issues referrals for diagnostics.

Second Day – Examinations

The second day is dedicated to a full range of diagnostic procedures.

Spiral computed tomography – examination of the kidneys and ureters on a CT machine capable of forming a beam of X-ray radiation of a special conical shape.
Intravenous pyelography – an X-ray examination in which a contrasting agent is injected intravenously to provide good visibility of kidney stones in the images.
Ultrasound is used to detect hydronephrosis, which develops as a result of ureter obstruction. Ultrasound helps identify stones that are transparent to X-ray radiation and therefore not detected by tomography.
Laboratory tests (urine microscopy, blood tests, kidney function studies, etc.) are used to clarify the diagnosis, identify the causes of stone formation in the kidneys and their composition.

Third Day – Treatment Program

On the third day, the leading urologist, along with a team of doctors from other specialties (nephrologists, surgeons, etc.), analyzes the diagnostic results and selects the treatment method.