Is kidney stone surgery considered a major operation?

Generally, there are two surgical approaches for kidney stone surgery: one is minimally invasive, which is not considered a major surgery; the other is traditional open surgery, which is classified as a major procedure. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital. The details are as follows:

Kidney stones refer to crystalline substances—such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid, etc.—that precipitate and deposit in the kidneys from urine, sometimes combining with organic materials to form stones. Some patients may experience symptoms such as renal colic or hematuria.

If a patient's kidney stones are relatively small, minimally invasive surgical techniques are typically used, such as flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotomy. These procedures access the body through small incisions or natural anatomical pathways, resulting in minimal trauma; therefore, they are not considered major surgeries.

However, if the kidney stones are large, an open surgical approach may be required, involving opening the kidney to remove the stones followed by suturing the incision. This method involves greater trauma, longer recovery time, and higher risks, and thus, in such cases, kidney stone surgery is considered a major operation.

To ensure surgical safety and promote postoperative recovery, patients should follow their doctor’s instructions, adequately prepare before surgery, strictly adhere to medical advice afterward, and attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor recovery progress.