Kidney & Bladder Surgery
Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment (RIRS)
Clear kidney stones without any cuts or scars. Using a high-precision laser and a flexible telescope through your natural water pipe, RIRS offers a safe, day-case solution with a high success rate and a fast recovery.
Key takeaways
- Clear kidney stones without any cuts or scars. Using a high-precision laser and a flexible telescope through your natural water pipe, RIRS offers a safe, day-case solution with a high success rate and a fast recovery.
- Specialty: Kidney & Bladder Surgery
Day case
Usually same-day discharge
48
Most back to routine withinhrs
High
Stone-clearance success rate
Treatment Overview
About Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment (RIRS)
Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment—often called RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery)—is a minimally invasive, modern way to remove kidney stones without needing to make any cuts in your skin.
Instead of traditional surgery, your specialist uses an ultra-thin, highly flexible telescope that travels through your natural water pipe (urethra), past the bladder, and directly into the kidney. We use high-definition digital scopes and advanced lasers to either 'dust' the stone into tiny particles or break it into small fragments. Because it uses your body’s natural pathways, it is a much less invasive alternative to 'keyhole' surgery through the back, which is usually used for larger stones
Safety Information
Benefits, Risks & Side Effects
01
Benefits
The primary benefit of RIRS is that it is entirely incision-free, meaning there are no external scars.
Fast Recovery: Most people are back to their normal daily routine within just 48 hours. Some patients may not be able to return to normal activities if they have a stent placed after the procedure until the stent is removed.
Highly Effective: It has a high success rate for kidney and ureteric stones, although, depending on the size, a second procedure to treat the stones is sometimes needed. The use of suction access sheaths increases the removal of fragments meaning that the “stone-free” rates are higher than they used to be.
Convenience: It is almost always a 'day-case' procedure, meaning you can head home the same day.
02
Risks
While RIRS is a routine and evidence-based procedure, it is important to understand the potential risks. We categorise these complications by their frequency to help you make an informed decision.
🟢 Common (More than 1 in 10 patients)
Residual Stones: Between 1 in 7 and 1 in 10 patients may have small fragments left behind, particularly if the stone was in a difficult-to-reach corner of the kidney, which may require a second session to clear completely.
New Stone Formation: About 50% of patients may develop new stones over the next five to ten years, which may require further treatment.
🟡 Occasional (Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50 patients)
Access Failure: In about 5% of cases, it may not be possible to reach the stone due to a narrow ureter or the stone's position, requiring a follow-up procedure at a later date.
🔴 Rare (Between 1 in 50 and 1 in 250 patients)
Infection: Between 1 in 50 and 1 in 100 patients develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) that requires antibiotics.
Ureteric Injury: There is a 1% risk of minor damage, such as a small perforation or scrape, to the wall of the ureter (the tube draining the kidney).
General Medical Issues: Rare complications related to anaesthesia or the heart, such as chest infections or blood clots.
03
Side Effects
To help you prepare for your recovery, we use the following traffic light system to outline common after-effects. Many of these are self-limiting or temporary reactions that settle as your kidney and ureter heal.
🟢 Common (More than 1 in 10 patients)
Stinging & Bleeding: Almost all patients experience mild burning or a 'stinging' sensation when peeing, and urine may look pink or red for a short time after the procedure.
Stent Symptoms: Because a temporary, soft plastic tube (stent) is usually tucked inside to help the kidney drain, you may feel a dull ache in your side or a frequent, urgent need to rush to the toilet.
🟡 Occasional (Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50 patients)
Bladder Catheter: A temporary drainage tube may be placed in your bladder during surgery and is typically removed the following morning.
What We Treat
How Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment (RIRS) Can Help You
This treatment is effective for a wide range of health needs. Select a condition below to learn more about how we can support your recovery and improve your daily well-being.
Patient Journey
What to Expect
A step-by-step guide through your Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment (RIRS) journey—from preparation and what happens during the procedure to recovery and aftercare.
01/ 03
Before Procedure
To prepare for a successful surgery, you will have a CT scan to map the exact size and location of the stone.
Health Check: You’ll have a pre-operative assessment to check your blood pressure and general health.
Infection Check: You must provide a clear urine sample one week before to ensure you don't have an infection. You may be asked to take antibiotic tablets prior to surgery.
Medication: It is important to tell your specialist about any blood-thinners, as you may need to pause these for 3–5 days.
Fasting: You must not eat or drink (nil by mouth) for 6 hours before your operation. You may be allowed to drink clear fluids like water up until closer to your surgery, but please follow the instructions given at pre-assessment.
02/ 03
During Procedure
The surgery is performed while you are asleep (general anaesthetic) and usually takes between 40 and 90 minutes.
Your specialist guides the flexible scope through your natural water pipe—no nicks or cuts are made to your skin.
A precision laser is used to break up the stone.
Fragments and stone dust can usually be safely sucked out by the surgeon.
A temporary 'JJ stent' (a thin plastic tube) is often placed at the end to keep the channel open and protect the area while it heals. This sits between the kidney and the bladder.
03/ 03
After Procedure
You will be monitored in recovery and can usually head home the same day once you have successfully passed urine.
Hydration: It is vital to drink 2.5 to 3 litres of water a day to help flush out any remaining stone dust.
Stent Removal: If you have a stent, it is usually removed in a quick, 3-5 minute procedure in the clinic about 2 weeks later using a flexible cystoscope. This may cause pain and irritation until it is removed, as well as blood in the urine and the need to pee more often.
Activity: You can return to light daily activities within 2 days. A follow-up scan is usually booked for 6 weeks later to confirm your kidney is completely clear and healthy.
Specialists
Specialists for Endoscopic Kidney Stone Treatment (RIRS)
Leading experts for this treatment. View profiles to see clinical backgrounds and current availability.
Our Commitment
Care you can trust
Every treatment is delivered to the same standard: senior consultants, a personalised plan, and the safety of an accredited private hospital behind you.
Consultant-Led Excellence
Receive evidence-based treatments delivered by senior NHS consultants in a professional, specialist setting.
Personalised Care Plans
Your consultant will design a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your specific health goals and lifestyle.
Hospital-Grade Safety
We operate within leading private hospitals, adhering to strict CQC safety and technology standards.
A Heritage of Trust
Our partners bring decades of NHS and private experience, successfully managing thousands of patient cases.
Trusted Resources
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Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this treatment and what to expect.
3 questions
A 'regular' or rigid ureteroscopy is generally used for stones that have already moved out of the kidney and into the ureter (the tube). RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) uses a much more flexible telescope that can 'bend' around corners inside the kidney itself, allowing the surgeon to reach stones tucked away in the various branches (calyces) of the kidney's drainage system.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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RIRS is most effective for stones under 2cm in total size. For stones larger than 2cm, or for 'staghorn' stones that fill the kidney, a different procedure called PCNL (which involves a small incision in the back) is often preferred, as it is more efficient at removing large volumes of stone in a single session.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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No. The laser used in RIRS is incredibly precise and only penetrates about 0.4mm into the surrounding fluid. It is tuned to be absorbed by the stone and the water around it. Because the surgeon is watching the process through a high-definition camera, they can target the stone with pinpoint accuracy while keeping the kidney lining perfectly safe.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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