Cystolitholapaxy. That’s a big word, but let me tell you more about this procedure.

Surgery called a cystolitholapaxy is performed to remove bladder stones. The stones, which normally present with pain to the lower abdomen, are located using a cystoscope — a tiny camera through an instrument that is passed down the urinary tract. The stones are located and broken up using a laser or other types of energy sources and fragments removed.

1) Transurethral approach: The cystoscope is introduced through the urethra while the patient is either under general or local anaesthetic. Adults generally prefer this approach as there’s no external incision or scarring to skin thereafter.

2) Percutaneous suprapubic: This method is typically used when the urethra would not be appropriate or useful, and it is carried done when the patient is under general anaesthesia. The cystoscope is implanted through a small skin incision, through which a sheath is also inserted. This approach is preferred for children (narrower urethra) and adults with large bladder stones.

Complications

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are managed with antibiotics, are the most typical complication. Other issues could arise, but they are uncommon. These include bleeding, delayed scar formation, or bowel perforation.

You can anticipate that the urologist will install a catheter after surgery and leave it there for one to two days to drain urine. During this time, you might feel uncomfortable for a few days. There could also be a tiny bit of blood in this urine.

Next steps

Moreover, recovery is just about a week or unless your job requires lots of physical activity, then two weeks. As usual, drink plenty of water during the recovery process.

A month after the surgery, you should make a follow-up consultation with your doctor. To make sure the bladder stones have been entirely removed, X-rays or a CT scan may be done. If the cystolitholapaxy was unsuccessful in eliminating the bladder stones, some individuals might need to have another surgical operation termed an open cystotomy. It’s also important to note that if the underlying problem that generated the bladder stones is not treated, they may return.

Dr Jeremy Thomas is a consultant urologist. He works privately in Montego Bay, Savanna-la-Mar, and Kingston and publicly at Cornwall Regional Hospital. He may be contacted on Facebook and Instagram: @jthomasurology or by e-mail: jthomasurology@gmail.com