Which department should I go to for urethral stones?

Written by Sun Chun
Urology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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For urethral stones, it is generally advisable to visit the urology department of a local hospital. It is best to undergo an abdominal plain film examination to clearly determine the location of the stone, which can also be identified through a urological examination. If it is an anterior urethral stone, which is close to the urethral opening, it can be removed through the urethra using methods such as compression. If it is a posterior urethral stone, it may not be reachable with forceps; in such cases, surgery at the hospital may be necessary. Posterior urethral stones are generally treated as bladder stones. When a cystoscope is inserted, posterior urethral stones are usually pushed into the bladder, where they can be crushed with forceps or fragmented with a laser before removal. If an examination reveals a urinary tract infection, anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment is also necessary, and a catheter may be left in place post-surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What does it feel like when there is a stone in the lower part of the urethra?

Urethral stones are generally divided into posterior urethral stones and anterior urethral stones, whereas ureteral stones are classified into upper, middle, and lower segments. For posterior or anterior urethral stones, the main symptoms include frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, a feeling of obstruction during urination, and in severe cases, hematuria or even urinary retention may occur. In such cases, timely lithotripsy and stone removal treatment are required. If the stone is in the lower segment of the ureter and pauses at a certain place, the patient often does not feel discomfort or might experience mild obscure pain. If the movement of the stone stimulates the ureter, it can cause pain in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by the presence of blood in the urine. Diagnosis can be confirmed through color ultrasound or CT scan. For stones in the lower segment of the ureter, treatment depends on the specific size of the stone. If the stone is relatively small, conservative stone expulsion treatment can be done; if the stone is large, surgical intervention is recommended as soon as possible.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What should I do about the stabbing pain from a urethral stone?

Urethral stones can cause urethral pain, painful urination, and even a feeling of urinary blockage, with severe cases leading to urinary retention. For urethral pain caused by stones, it is first necessary to examine the specific size and location of the stone within the urethra. If it is a small stone in the anterior urethra, it is advised to drink more water and urinate frequently to flush the stone out of the body with the flow of urine. If the stone is large and becomes lodged in the urethra, or even completely blocks the passage, causing urinary retention, it is recommended to undergo surgery as soon as possible. The stone should be crushed and expelled from the body, with a catheter left in place after surgery. The patient can usually be discharged from the hospital within three to five days.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How should urethral stones be treated?

For the treatment of urethral stones, it is first necessary to use ultrasound, CT scans, and other examinations to specifically determine the stone's location and size within the urethra for appropriate treatment. If the stone is small, such as around 5 millimeters, this condition can be managed by increasing water intake and frequent urination, relying on the flushing action of the urine to expel the stone from the body. If the stone is large and causing obstruction in the urethra, and if it is a posterior urethral stone, it is recommended to push the stone back into the bladder under cystoscopy, followed by lithotripsy. If it is an anterior urethral stone, the condition can be treated under ureteroscopy by using holmium laser lithotripsy, after which the stone can be squeezed out of the body or by injecting paraffin oil into the urethra to lubricate and then expel the stone.

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home-news-image
Written by Sun Chun
Urology
59sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for urethral stones?

For urethral stones, it is generally advisable to visit the urology department of a local hospital. It is best to undergo an abdominal plain film examination to clearly determine the location of the stone, which can also be identified through a urological examination. If it is an anterior urethral stone, which is close to the urethral opening, it can be removed through the urethra using methods such as compression. If it is a posterior urethral stone, it may not be reachable with forceps; in such cases, surgery at the hospital may be necessary. Posterior urethral stones are generally treated as bladder stones. When a cystoscope is inserted, posterior urethral stones are usually pushed into the bladder, where they can be crushed with forceps or fragmented with a laser before removal. If an examination reveals a urinary tract infection, anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment is also necessary, and a catheter may be left in place post-surgery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
54sec home-news-image

Causes of Urethral Stones

The formation of urethral stones generally does not occur in the urethra itself; most urethral stones form in the bladder or kidneys. During the process of stone elimination, they fall into the urethra, thus forming urethral stones. After urethral stones occur, patients often experience noticeable pain during urination and a sensation of urinary obstruction. Some patients may also exhibit symptoms of hematuria and should promptly visit the hospital's urology department for an ultrasound to determine the exact size and location of the stones. If the stones are small, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to flush the stones out of the body. If the stones are larger and become lodged in the urethra, it is advised to seek surgical treatment as soon as possible to break down and eliminate the stones.