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Medical Care in China

Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones)
Treatment in China

Provide a clear and complete coordinated pathway from expert assessment to treatment and rehabilitation.

Comprehensive Coverage of Urinary DiseasesKidney, bladder, prostate, and urinary tract diseases can all be assessed.

Treatment of complex stonesSelect a minimally invasive treatment plan based on the characteristics of the stones.

Urinary tumor treatmentcovers tumors of the prostate, bladder, kidneys and urinary tract.

Precise medication therapySome prostate cancer patients can be evaluated for PSMA-related treatment.

Condition Guide

About Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones)

Understand the condition, common triggers and treatment options that may require specialist assessment.

Disease Introduction

Urinary tract stones are small stones formed by the precipitation of minerals in urine. They can become lodged in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra, often causing abdominal cramps, hematuria, difficulty urinating, and even hydronephrosis. The general principle of treatment is "minimally invasive lithotripsy, protection of kidney function, and removal of the underlying cause," avoiding unnecessary surgery. The preferred surgical method varies depending on the location—for kidney and ureteral stones, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, flexible ureteroscopy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy is chosen depending on size; bladder stones are often treated with urethral endoscopy, which usually requires simultaneous treatment of the underlying obstruction, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia; urethral stones are often treated with retrovesical endoscopic lithotripsy.

Cutting-edge high-precision diagnostic and treatment technologies

Ultra-thin flexible ureteroscope : The scope is thin and flexible, and can reach the kidney through the natural cavity of the urethra for direct visualization and holmium laser lithotripsy, with zero incision on the body surface; suitable patients can avoid the need for double J stent placement and have day surgery after the operation;
Ultrapulse laser lithotripsy : High-power holmium laser/fiber laser efficiently pulverizes stones under flexible endoscopy, and is combined with ureteral access sheath to improve stone removal efficiency. It is listed as a first-line treatment for upper urinary tract stones smaller than 20mm in domestic and international guidelines.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy : A tiny channel is created in the lower back, and the stones are broken up and removed simultaneously by laser/ultrasound/ballistic methods inside the kidney. It is suitable for complex stones that are 2-3 cm or larger, multiple or staghorn in shape, and has a high stone removal rate in one session.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy : Non-invasive focused shock wave lithotripsy can break up kidney or ureteral stones of 6-20 mm, which are then excreted naturally with urine. However, depending on the hardness and location of the stone, a follow-up examination is often required every 4-6 weeks.
Catheter-free minimally invasive surgery : Gradually reduce the number of indwelling double-J stents after surgery, promote day surgery, shorten hospital stay and extubation cycle, and improve comfort.

Care Overview

Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones) Treatment in China

The medical team will develop a personalized protocol based on the pathology type, stage, genetic test, previous treatment history, and the patient's physical condition.

1. Individualized treatment for small stones : Kidney/ureteral stones smaller than 1cm can be individually selected between extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ultra-thin flexible ureteroscopy. Flexible ureteroscopy is chosen for those who want to achieve a complete stone removal in one go.
2. Flexible ureteroscopy for medium-sized stones : For kidney/ureteral stones of 1-2cm, ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy via rigid/flexible ureteroscopy is the preferred method, which does not require lumbar puncture;
3. Complex stones PCNL : Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the first choice for kidney stones larger than 2-3 cm, multiple stones, or staghorn stones, with a high stone clearance rate;
4. Endoscopic treatment of bladder stones : Transurethral cystoscopic laser lithotripsy is the first choice. Patients with outlet obstruction such as benign prostatic hyperplasia should be treated simultaneously. Large stones can be removed percutaneously or by incision.
5. Urethral stone repositioning and lithotripsy : The stone is usually pushed back into the bladder first, and then endoscopic lithotripsy is performed through the urethra to crush and remove the stone under direct vision, avoiding repeated impaction and injury.

Network of partner hospitals

Recommended Hospitals

Selected leading medical centers with strong specialties and international patient services.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Beijing · Partner Hospital

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

RehabilitationOrgan TransplantRare & Complex DiseasesOncologyGastroenterologyNeurologyUrologyInternal MedicineSurgeryHepatobiliaryOrthopedicsObstetrics & GynecologyENTCosmetic Surgery

In the ranking of Chinese hospitals released by the Fudan University Hospital Management Institute, Peking Union Medical College Hospital has topped the comprehensive ranking for more than ten consecutive years, and has twice ranked first in the national performance evaluation of tertiary public hospitals. Among the 42 specialties covered in the comprehensive specialty ranking, 28 of Peking Union Medical College Hospital's specialties are ranked in the top 10. Nine specialties, including pathology, rheumatology, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, neurology, nuclear medicine, emergency medicine, critical care medicine, and allergy, rank first in the country; several specialties, including radiology, anesthesiology, endocrinology, laboratory medicine, ultrasound medicine, and gastroenterology, rank second in the country. The hospital is a national center for the diagnosis and treatment of complex, critical, and rare diseases designated by the National Health Commission, a national demonstration base for higher medical education and standardized residency training, and a national core base for clinical medical research and technological innovation.

Year Founded: 1921
Beds: 3000

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai · Partner Hospital

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

OncologyHematologyGastroenterologyUrologyInternal MedicineSurgeryOrthopedics

Ruijin Hospital consistently ranks among the top four hospitals in China according to the comprehensive hospital rankings released by the Fudan University Hospital Management Institute. It is a national medical center construction unit and possesses national-level platforms such as the National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases and the National Clinical Research Center for Hematological Diseases. The hospital currently has four key disciplines designated by the Ministry of Education (Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Cardiology, and Neurology), 22 national key clinical specialties, and one national key laboratory for medical genomics. The hospital has been awarded the title of National Civilized Unit four times consecutively and has received honors such as the National May 1st Labor Medal and the National Advanced Collective of the Health System. It is also a national demonstration unit for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Year Founded: 1907
Beds: 5100

Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai · Partner Hospital

Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Organ TransplantGastroenterologyUrologyInternal MedicineObstetrics & Gynecology

Renji Hospital boasts 13 national key clinical specialties (Gastroenterology, Obstetrics, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Urology, Nephrology, Imaging Medicine, Rheumatology, Allergy, Transplantation, and Critical Care Medicine), and houses the National Key Laboratory of Oncology, the Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of the Ministry of Education, and the Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of the National Health Commission. The hospital ranks among the top in China for several specialties in the Fudan University Hospital Rankings, with its gastroenterology program consistently ranking first in the country for many years. It is also a co-construction unit of the National Regional Medical Center for Digestive Diseases.

Year Founded: 1844
Beds: 2750

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Chengdu · Partner Hospital

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

RehabilitationOrgan TransplantRare & Complex DiseasesOncologyGastroenterologyCardio-CerebrovascularNeurologyUrologyInternal MedicineSurgeryThoracicHepatobiliaryOrthopedics

The hospital is among the first batch of national medical center construction units and a pilot hospital for high-quality development jointly built by the national and provincial governments. It has established a national medical center for mental illness and two national regional medical centers. The hospital has 43 national key clinical specialties, ranking first among hospitals in China; its clinical medicine ESI ranking is in the top 0.252‰ globally. In the Fudan University version of the China Hospital Ranking, the hospital's comprehensive strength has ranked among the top three in China for many consecutive years (ranking second in the country for 11 consecutive years). Its anesthesiology department ranks first in the country, and many other specialties such as radiology, pathology, urology, ultrasound medicine, and geriatrics are among the top in the country. More than 10 specialties in the hospital are ranked among the top three in the country, and nearly 30 specialties are ranked among the top ten in the country.

Year Founded: 1982
Beds: 4900

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Wuhan · Partner Hospital

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

HematologyCardio-CerebrovascularUrology

The hospital ranks 9th nationwide in the Fudan University China Hospital Specialty Ranking, making it one of the strongest hospitals in Central China. Its specialties, including heart transplantation, hematology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, anesthesiology, and cardiovascular surgery, are among the top in the country. In particular, its nuclear medicine department has consistently ranked among the top two in Fudan University's specialty rankings for many years, and its heart transplant volume has ranked first in the country for many consecutive years. The hospital is a national drug clinical trial institution and a national stem cell clinical research institution, boasting strong research capabilities.

Year Founded: 1866
Beds: 6000

Leading Specialists

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

Li Hang

Professor , specializing in diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephropathy

Urology

Research focus: Clinical diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary kidney diseases, with a focus on diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephropathy. Cutting-edge technology: Primarily engaged in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of various primary and secondary kidney diseases, specializing in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome, IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and other diseases. Diseases specializing in: refractory nephrotic syndrome, IgA nephropathy, mem

Affiliated Hospital Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Song Bin

Former Director of Radiology Department, Professor/Doctoral Supervisor, President of the Asian Society of Abdominal Radiology

Urology

Research areas : Abdominal imaging diagnosis (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, portal venous system); early screening, diagnosis, and prognostic classification of liver cancer. Cutting-edge technologies: The "West China Solution" for early screening and diagnosis of liver cancer using imaging (a new standard for liver cancer diagnosis and a screening model for high-risk groups based on MR functional imaging); a new multimodal imaging prognostic classification for liver cancer;

Affiliated Hospital West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Zhang Ling

Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Master's Supervisor, Deputy Director of Nephrology, and Head of the CRRT Subspecialty Group

Urology

-Research areas : complications of hemodialysis, acute kidney injury and critical blood purification technology; CRRT anticoagulation technology. - Cutting-edge technologies: individualized CRRT dosage for severe cases, early warning model for critical AKI, and the world's first local citrate anticoagulation technology with calcium-containing replacement fluid; comprehensive treatment for severe AKI. - Areas of expertise: ICU severe acute kidney injury, septic kidney injury, renal replacement therapy for

Affiliated Hospital West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Chen Yumei

Associate Chief Physician, PhD, Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine

Urology

-Research areas : Molecular imaging of tumors, PSMA PET assessment of prostate cancer; - Areas of expertise: Ga-PSMA PET/CT image analysis, lesion interpretation, and semi-quantitative assessment of PSMA expression; - Areas of expertise: Initial staging of prostate cancer, biochemical recurrence localization, and RLT efficacy evaluation; - Academic Highlights & Core Values: Backbone in molecular imaging for prostate cancer, involved in multicenter clinical studies related to PSMA, and optimized PSMA imagi

Affiliated Hospital Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Zhang Weiming

Chief Physician, Master's Supervisor, Deputy Director of Nephrology, and Head of the Vascular Access Subspecialty Group.

Urology

Research areas : Hypertensive nephropathy, gouty nephropathy, urinary tract infections, and establishment and maintenance of hemodialysis access. Cutting-edge technologies: Over 5000 arteriovenous fistula surgeries have been performed, with a primary patency rate of 92% one year post-surgery; innovative ultrasound-guided balloon dilation has been used to treat fistula stenosis, avoiding secondary surgical trauma for patients; RAAS blockers combined with uric acid management have been applied to hypertensi

Affiliated Hospital Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Ni Zhaohui

Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Chief Expert of Renji Hospital, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine, and Academic Leader of Nephrology.

Urology

Research Areas : Diagnosis and treatment of various primary and secondary complex and critical kidney diseases, especially lupus nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and acute and chronic renal failure. Cutting-Edge Technologies: Pioneered the implementation of a combined assessment model of renal pathology, clinical practice, and molecular subtyping in China, significantly improving the remission rate of IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis; led the construction of the first home dialysis tra

Affiliated Hospital Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Patient Stories

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

Complete Placenta Previa with Placenta Accreta - Defused the

CASE 01

PATIENT JOURNEY

Complete Placenta Previa with Placenta Accreta - Defused the "Time Bomb" Between Mother and Infant

UrologyObstetrics & Gynecology

Patient records Name: Sari Dewi Age: 32 Nationality: Indonesia Diagnosis: Complete placenta previa complicated by placenta accreta Treatment Hospital: Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology “The doctor told me that my placenta, like a tree root, had penetrated my uterus and grown onto my bladder. The risk of severe bleeding during childbirth is extremely high, and I might not even survive.” Sari, 32, from Surabaya, Indonesia, is a mother of two. Her voice

View case details →

Severe Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy - The Ultimate Weapon Against

CASE 02

PATIENT JOURNEY

Severe Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy - The Ultimate Weapon Against "Social Cancer"

RehabilitationUrology

Patient records Name: Somsak Charoen Age: 62 Nationality: Thailand (Bangkok) Diagnosis: Severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy (using more than 5 urinal pads daily, severely impacting social life). Treatment Hospital: Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology In the video sent by Mr. Charoen, he is wearing a sharp suit and confidently giving a speech at a business conference in Bangkok. His demeanor is

View case details →

Complex vesicovaginal fistula - Restoring

CASE 03

PATIENT JOURNEY

Complex vesicovaginal fistula - Restoring "leaked" dignity

UrologyObstetrics & Gynecology

Patient records Name: Nguyen Thi Lan Age: 45 Nationality: Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) Diagnosis: Complex vesicovaginal fistula (post-hysterectomy complication, fistula opening approximately 1.5cm, located near the trigone of the bladder) Treatment Hospital: Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine—Department of Urology/Obstetrics and Gynecology In the video Ms. Lan sent, she was wearing a beautiful ao dai, smiling and posing for photos on the streets of Ho Chi Minh Cit

View case details →

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Reshaping the

CASE 04

PATIENT JOURNEY

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Reshaping the "Valve" of Life

Urology

Patient records Name: Budi Santoso Age: 68 Nationality: Indonesia (Surabaya) Diagnosis: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate volume approximately 120 ml, IPSS score 28, recurrent acute urinary retention) Treatment Hospital: Department of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University Mr. Santoso, a retired captain from Surabaya, had spent his life battling the waves, displaying unwavering resilience. However, in his later years, he succumbed to an unseen "enemy"—his prostate. This small organ swell

View case details →

Service Process

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01
Pre-Visit Services
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02
Remote Consultations
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Travel Arrangements
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05
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Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones)Treatment in China

Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones) Treatment in China

Recommended Hospitals

Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

Complete Placenta Previa with Placenta Accreta - Defused the "Time Bomb" Between Mother and Infant

Severe Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy - The Ultimate Weapon Against "Social Cancer"

Complex vesicovaginal fistula - Restoring "leaked" dignity

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Reshaping the "Valve" of Life

A clear, coordinated process for efficient cross-border care

Pre-Visit Services

Remote Consultations

Travel Arrangements

Comprehensive Support in China

Post-Visit Services

Get a Care Planand Cost Estimate.

Get a Care Plan and Estimate

Urolithiasis (kidney stones, ureteral stones, bladder stones, urethral stones)
Treatment in China

Get a Care Plan
and Cost Estimate.