Laser ureteroscopy in Medellín
Ureteral and kidney stones, without incisions
Laser ureteroscopy breaks up the stone from inside the urinary tract, using a thin instrument that is passed through the urethra. It is the technique of choice for most ureteral stones. MDE Care is not a clinic: we coordinate your assessment with the urologist, the tests, the procedure and your stay in Medellín.
Support
until the stent is removed
Which ureteroscopy applies to you and what to expect from the stent?
Five factors shape the procedure: where the stone is, its size, whether you already have a stent or a nephrostomy, whether there are stones on both sides and whether you have had a recent infection.
1. Where is the stone?
2. Size of the stone
3. Do you currently have a double J stent or a nephrostomy?
4. Are there stones on one side or on both?
5. Have you had a fever or a urinary tract infection in the last month?
Your guidance
Some answers are missing
Answer the questions to see your guidance.
* Guidance based on the urolithiasis guideline of the European Association of Urology (EAU). The type of ureteroscopy and the use of a stent are decided by the urologist during the procedure.
How much does laser ureteroscopy cost in Medellín?
Choose the type of ureteroscopy, the tests you do not have yet, the stent removal and your stay. We will show you the price of each part and the estimated total.
Ureteroscopy
Sides
Before the procedure
Select what you do not have yet.
Double J stent
Afterwards
Stay in Medellín
If you are coming from another city or country.
Estimated total
Semi-rigid ureteroscopy and your selection
From COP 8,350,000
Reference price "from"; confirmed in the formal quote.
Request an assessment* Estimated market prices in Medellín; procedures are shown with their "from" reference price and are confirmed in the formal quote, which details fees, anesthesia, operating room and hospital stay. The stay corresponds to the partner recovery house, standard room.
Semi-rigid or flexible ureteroscopy
In both, the holmium laser breaks up the stone and the fragments are removed with a basket or pass out with the urine. What changes is the instrument, depending on how far it has to reach.
Semi-rigid
A straight, thin ureteroscope for ureteral stones, especially those close to the bladder.
Flexible
It bends to reach stones inside the kidney and in the upper ureter. It is also called retrograde intrarenal surgery.
Is your stone larger than 20 mm and located in the kidney? See percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Not sure yet which technique applies to you? See the options for kidney stones.
What laser ureteroscopy involves
1
Preliminary tests
Uro-CT, urinalysis and, if there was an infection, a urine culture so that surgery is performed with clear urine.
2
Anesthesia
General or regional. The duration depends on the size and location of the stone.
3
Laser and basket
The urologist locates the stone, breaks it up with the laser and removes the fragments.
4
Stent, if needed
A double J stent ensures drainage while the swelling of the ureter goes down.
How well ureteroscopy clears stones
Percentage of stone-free patients in published studies, compared with shock wave lithotripsy.
Distal ureter, EAU and AUA meta-analysis
94%
stone-free with ureteroscopy, compared with 74% with lithotripsy.
Proximal ureter, EAU and AUA meta-analysis
81%
with ureteroscopy, compared with 82% with lithotripsy: similar results.
Lower pole up to 10 mm, randomized trial
50%
with ureteroscopy, compared with 35% with lithotripsy, with no significant difference.
The double J stent
It is a thin tube that runs from the kidney to the bladder, inside the body, and is not visible from the outside. It is not always necessary: after an uncomplicated ureteroscopy it may be omitted. When it is left in place, the urologist decides how many days it stays.
Its discomfort is the most common reason for consultation after surgery, and knowing about it in advance avoids unnecessary worry. It is removed at the office with a flexible cystoscopy, in a few minutes.
Common discomfort while the stent is in place
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Burning when urinating and pink urine
- Flank discomfort when urinating
- It subsides once the stent is removed; the urologist may prescribe a medication to relieve it
Seek medical attention immediately if you have a fever, severe pain that does not subside or heavy bleeding.
After ureteroscopy
By phase
The day of the procedure
Discharge the same day or the next
You may eat and walk once the effect of the anesthesia wears off.
First few days
Pink urine, burning or urgency
This is expected. Drink enough fluids and take the medications prescribed.
Days later, if one was placed
Removal of the double J stent
When the urologist indicates, at the office with a flexible cystoscope, or without cystoscopy if the stent has a string.
Afterwards
Follow-up and stone analysis
An imaging study confirms that no fragments remain; the analysis guides prevention.
Returning to work
There is no single published timeframe. Many people resume light activities within a few days; the urologist will tell you when, based on how you feel and whether you have a stent.
When to seek care
Fever, severe pain that does not subside with painkillers or heavy bleeding with clots.
To keep them from coming back
If you have had other stones before, a metabolic evaluation is advisable.
Side effects and risks of ureteroscopy
Stent discomfort is common and temporary; serious complications are uncommon. The urologist will review the risks of your case with you.
Effects and complications
- Urinary discomfort or pain caused by the double J stentup to 80%
- Pink urine in the first few dayscommon
- Fever or urinary tract infection after the procedureuncommon
- Ureteral injuryrare
Up to 80%
Stent discomfort
Of people with a double J stent, in a study with a validated questionnaire; it subsides once the stent is removed.
No single figure
Serious complications
Published series vary according to the technique and the size of the stone; for that reason we do not show a percentage.
Ureteroscopy compared with the other techniques
The four ways to treat a stone, with their reference price and the stone size for which they are usually indicated.
Medical management and stone passage
Reference price
From COP 250,000 (US$63)
Stone size
Ureter, up to 10 mm
No procedure
Shock wave lithotripsy
Reference price
From COP 4,500,000 (US$1,125)
Stone size
Up to 20 mm, low density
Outpatient
Laser ureteroscopy
Reference price
From COP 8,000,000 (US$2,000)
Stone size
Ureter of any size and kidney up to 20 mm
Same day or one night
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Reference price
From COP 14,000,000 (US$3,500)
Stone size
Kidney, more than 20 mm or staghorn
1 to 3 days
Your ureteroscopy in Medellín, step by step
How many days to stay in Medellín is decided by the urologist, based on the technique and whether a stent is left in place. We coordinate the schedule so that tests, procedure and follow-up take as few days as possible.
Step 1
Contact by WhatsApp
You send us your ultrasound or CT scan and tell us about your symptoms.
Step 2
Case review
The urologist reviews your images and proposes the technique usually indicated.
Step 3
Any tests still needed
Uro-CT, urinalysis and creatinine, if you do not have them yet; they can be done on arrival.
Step 4
Formal quote
With details of what it includes, in Colombian pesos or US dollars.
Step 5
Ureteroscopy and the first few days
Discharge the same day or the next; with the option of a recovery house at COP 759,900 (US$190) per night.
Step 6
Follow-up and return home
Imaging follow-up and, if a stent was left in place, its removal before you travel.
What MDE Care does for you
We are neither a clinic nor a directory. We support you from your first question to the results consultation.
Initial guidance
We review your medical order or the reason for your visit before booking.
The right specialist
We connect you with the urologist who performs the procedure you need.
Clear prices
You know the price and what it includes before booking.
Appointments and tests
We coordinate the schedule, the preparation and the timing of each step.
Logistics support
Lodging and transportation if you are coming from another city or country.
Follow-up
We coordinate the results consultation and follow-up visits.
About laser ureteroscopy
How much does laser ureteroscopy cost in Medellín?
Does laser surgery leave a scar?
Does the double J stent hurt?
When is the double J stent removed?
Does it require anesthesia and a hospital stay?
Can you travel after ureteroscopy?
Is it the same as a cystoscopy?
Other urology pages
Request your laser ureteroscopy assessment
Send us your CT scan or ultrasound. We will tell you the type of ureteroscopy usually considered and the price before you travel.