Kidney Stone Surgery Cost

Kidney Stone Treatment Cost in India

Kidney stone surgery in India can cost around ₹40,000 to ₹2,00,000, depending on the procedure, stone size, hospital, and location. While smaller stones may pass naturally, larger or complicated stones may require procedures such as lithotripsy or PCNL.

Many health insurance plans cover kidney stone treatment and surgery when medically necessary, subject to your policy's terms, waiting periods, and exclusions. This article explains surgery costs, treatment options, and how health insurance can help manage the expenses.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Understanding the medical condition is crucial for determining kidney stone treatment costs. Kidney stones are hard objects that are formed due to increased levels of certain chemicals in your urine. Medical professionals recognize four types of kidney stones, namely:

• Calcium oxalate
• Uric acid
• Struvite
• Cystine

Common symptoms include severe lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, foul-smelling urine, or difficulty passing urine. Kidney stones are made mostly of chemicals like calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate. Sometimes these stones are small and may pass through the urinary tract naturally.

Kidney Stone Operation Cost in India

There are multiple kidney stone operation methods practiced in India. However, before any operation, your urologist will conduct diagnostic tests to determine the stone's size and position, then decide on the appropriate procedure. We have discussed the various procedures available below with their average prices.

Types of Kidney Stone Removal Procedures and Their Costs

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

  This procedure is generally conducted on individuals with large kidney stones. It is an invasive method where the surgeon makes a small incision on your back to surgically remove the kidney stone using a telescope and surgical instruments. It is performed under general anesthesia, and the patient is unconscious during the entire surgery. The average cost in India ranges from INR 50,000 to 2 lakhs.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy

  This procedure uses sound waves to break kidney stones into smaller particles, which are then passed through the urinary tract. It is commonly preferred as it is non-invasive, but may cause some pain, for which the doctor might administer light anesthesia for your comfort. The average cost can go up to INR 1 lakh, varying based on other important factors.

• Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy

  This procedure is performed if kidney stones are located near your urinary tract. The surgeon inserts a small ureteroscope with a camera through your urethra and urinary bladder. After locating the stones, they are broken into small pieces to help them pass through your urinary tract, or they are snared and removed. The doctor might also leave a stent to promote faster healing. This kidney stone treatment in India may cost between INR 40,000 to 1 lakh.

• Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS)

  Also known as RIRS, this is a minimally invasive procedure advised for patients with larger kidney stones. The urologist inserts a thin, flexible endoscope fitted with a tiny laser through the urethra and urinary bladder. Once in place, the doctor breaks the kidney stones into tiny particles to allow them to pass through the urinary tract. However, for larger kidney stones, they may also be removed with forceps. This procedure is performed under spinal anesthesia, meaning you will have no sensation below the lower back. If your medical condition requires it, the doctor may administer general anesthesia. The RIRS procedure can cost between INR 80,000 to 2 lakhs, depending on various factors of your diagnostic condition.

Factors Affecting Kidney Stone Operation Cost in India

Various factors directly affect kidney stone operation costs in India, such as:

• City of Operation

  The city where you undergo the operation is a deciding factor. In a Tier 1 city, kidney stone laser treatment will be more expensive without health insurance, whereas in smaller cities, it will be more affordable.

• Health Insurance Coverage
  Whether you have a health insurance policy and your coverage amount directly impacts your out-of-pocket expenses. Insured patients may only need to pay towards deductibles, co-payments, or costs exceeding sub-limits, if any apply to their plan.

• Surgery Procedure Opted

  After diagnostic tests, the doctor suggests possible kidney stone removal surgery methods. This depends on factors like the position and size of the kidney stone. Once these factors are diagnosed, the appropriate surgical procedure is advised to effectively treat kidney stones.

• Post-Operation Care

  Post-operation care will differ depending on the hospital you choose. Some hospitals provide wound care, pain rehabilitation, medications, and more. It is important to choose the right doctor and hospital to receive the desired post-operational care at affordable prices.

Conclusion

Kidney stone operation costs in India are generally affordable and often covered under health insurance plans, depending on coverage terms and conditions. On average, kidney stone laser treatment and other procedures cost between INR 50,000 and 2 lakhs, depending on the stone's size and position, the hospital chosen, the urologist consulted, post-operation facilities, and other factors.

To learn more about individual, family, senior citizen, or group health insurance, book an appointment with our advisors today!