South India’s Paediatric Urology witnesses a breakthrough as AINU Chennai successfully removes 12mm kidney stones from a 1-year-old

Chennai, September 06^th, 2023: Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), a leading kidney care specialist in India & Chennai ’s largest nephrology and urology healthcare specialty centre has achieved a remarkable milestone in medical history by successfully treating a one-year-old infant from Salem for a complicated kidney stone removal. 

In August, the baby was presented with blood in the urine and a CT scan revealed a sizable 12mm stone in the left kidney. Despite the challenges posed by the patient’s tender age, AINU’s expert medical team, including Dr. Arun Kumar – Managing Director and Chief Urologist, Dr. Venkatsubramaniam – Executive Director and Paediatric Urologist –  Dr. Ramesh Babu embarked on a ground-breaking minimally invasive laser treatment.

The significance of this procedure lies in the precision and innovation involved in treating a one-year-old toddler. Dr. Arun Kumar, Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Urology, AINU, Chennai, explained, “Mini PCNL is a procedure where the kidney is punctured using instruments one third the size of those used for adults, and this technique is not widely accessible. The treatment involved employing a tiny puncture from the back of the kidney. Utilizing state-of-the-art laser technology, the medical team successfully fragmented the stone, achieving complete clearance. This approach allowed us to provide relief to the child while avoiding the complexities associated with repositioning the patient during anaesthesia.”

Dr. Venkatsubramaniam, Executive Director at AINU Chennai, emphasized the innovation of achieving results like conventional percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) without rotating the patient during anaesthesia. He stated, “The entire procedure was performed with the patient lying flat, a testament to our commitment to innovation and patient-centric care. AINU Chennai continues to lead in urological and nephrological single speciality healthcare, delivering exemplary care to patients of all ages. This successful treatment reaffirms our dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our patients across India and the globe.”

Dr. Ramesh Babu, Paediatric Urologist at AINU, Chennai, added,”This case possibly marks the youngest instance of ‘supine mini PCNL’ performed in southern India. We are proud to have successfully accomplished this procedure, setting a new milestone in the field of paediatric urology. Treating kidney stones in paediatric patients requires exceptional precision and care, and we are delighted to provide a brilliant non-invasive procedure that minimized pain and bleeding, bringing relief to the child and his family.”The procedure employed was a minimally invasive laser treatment known as mini PCNL with laser lithotripsy’. This technique involves using a thin tube with a miniature camera (paediatric nephroscope) to visualize the stone within the urinary tract.

The laser is then carefully applied to break down the stone into smaller fragments, allowing for easier passage and removal from the body. The baby has been discharged within 2 days from the date of surgery and has shown speedy signs of post recovery. AINU Chennai remains committed to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation and improving patients’ lives through the expert-based care they offer, along with state-of-the-art medical facilities readily available.

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