Open Nephrolithotomy
 |
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- Open nephrolithotomy (nef-ro-li-THOT-o-me) is surgery to completely remove kidney stones. Kidney stones are rock-like pieces or crystals formed from the urine. These may cause pain, infection, bleeding, and damage to the kidneys. Kidney stones usually form in the kidneys but may also be found in other parts of the urinary tract. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the back of the abdomen (stomach), at both sides of the spine. They remove unwanted chemicals and waste from the blood in the form of urine. The urine flows from both kidneys through tubes called ureters. The bladder is a hollow, round organ that holds urine. Urine leaves the bladder and goes out of the body through another tube called the urethra.
- Open nephrolithotomy may be done to take out large stones or when other procedures have not worked. This may also be done for people who are obese (very overweight) or those with other health problems. During this surgery, an incision (cut) is made in the flank (side of the abdomen) area. This is done so the affected kidney and many structures lying close to it can be fully seen. The kidney is then opened and the stones are removed. With open nephrolithotomy, symptoms may be treated and more serious health problems prevented.
AFTER YOU LEAVE:
Medicines:
- Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
- Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
- Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
- Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.
Ask your caregiver when you should return to have your wound checked, drain taken out, and stitches removed.Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.
Always check your drain when changing your bandages. Do not pull out your drain. Ask your caregivers for more information about drain care.Bladder care:
- Catheter: You may need to learn how to insert a catheter by yourself if you cannot urinate on your own. A catheter is a soft rubber tube that you put into your urethra to drain your urine. You may also need a bladder irrigation. Medicines or special solutions may be put inside your bladder through your catheter. Ask your caregiver for more information on self-catheterization and bladder irrigation.
- Voiding: Do not let your bladder become too full before emptying it. Set regular times each day to urinate. Urinate as soon as you feel the need. Ask your caregiver if you need to strain your urine to look for any pieces of kidney stones. You may use a special strainer to strain your urine.
Diet and drinking liquids:
- Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
- Drink about 3 to 4 liters of liquid each day (around 13 to 17 eight-ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty.
Learn ways to manage stress. Deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music may help you cope with stressful events. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.
Rest: You may feel like resting more after surgery. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:
- You have a fever (increased body temperature).
- You have chills, a cough, or feel weak and achy.
- You have dizziness, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up).
- Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
- You have questions or concerns about your surgery, condition, or care.
SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:
- You have pain in your abdomen, flank, or genital area that does not go away or gets worse.
- You have problems passing urine or having a bowel movement.
- You have pus or a foul-smelling odor coming from your incision.
- You have severe (very bad) chest pain and trouble breathing all of a sudden.
- Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
- Your symptoms become worse or come back.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
 |
Link to Page |  |
Print Page |  |
Email Page |
