More urinary tract stones are being treated with surgery

The number of upper urinary tract stone episodes in hospitals increased from 83,050 in 2009-2010 to 86,742 in 2014-2015. The use of non-invasive shock wave lithotripsy remained stable over this time; however, surgical intervention for stones in the ureter or kidney rose nearly 50% from 12,062 to 18,055 cases in the 5-year study period. The procedure (ureteroscopy) involves inserting a small scope into the bladder and up the ureter (and sometimes further up into the kidney) to laser fragment stones.

"Around 10% of the adult population will attend hospital with a kidney stone in their lifetime. In the UK, there is a trend towards surgical intervention for kidney stones which mirrors other countries around the world," said Dr. Hendrik Heers, co-author of the BJU International study. "If the current trends continue, surgical intervention will overtake non-invasive shock wave treatment within the next 3 years."