Emergency treatment producing amazing results in management of acute ureteric (kidney) stones

1 October 2025

Emergency Urology treatment introduced at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has seen amazing success in its first 12 months.

Over the past year the Urology department has successfully implemented emergency ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for the management of acute ureteric (kidney) stones.

This innovative approach has led to remarkable results. In total, 67 cases have been treated without the need for temporising stents which often cause significant discomfort requiring additional hospital visits and impacting upon quality of life. The median time for patients to be free of both stones and stents has dramatically reduced from 121 days to just 11. This means patients are experiencing quicker relief and a significant improvement in their quality of life, without having to return for a second operation to treat the stone. The reduction in stent symptoms and hospital re-attendances (12% compared to 36% previously) has been a game-changer for patients.

This has also meant that the elective slots that would have been used for definitive stone treatment are now available for other patients, thanks to the efficient management during the primary admission.

Consultant Urologist Piyush Sarmah said: “This achievement is a testament to the commitment to patient-centred care both within UHCW and the Urology department.

“Emergency Theatres staff have become proficient in performing ureteroscopy and laser procedures, contributing to the overall success of the programme.

“Getting it right first time has allowed us to accommodate long-waiting stone cases on to our normal elective weekday stone lists, which would’ve been unthinkable a year ago.”

The success of this initiative was presented at the British Association of Urological Surgeons Section of Endourology Annual Meeting in Birmingham by Urology Resident Doctor Ahmed Elbassyiouny, where it received widespread acclaim from attendees across the country for a service many other hospitals have found difficult to implement.

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. These stones can travel down the ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

When a stone gets stuck in the ureter, it can cause severe pain and may lead to other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine. The size and location of the stone can affect the severity of the symptoms and the treatment options available.

Treatment may include pain management, medications to help pass the stone, or procedures to remove or break up the stone.

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