CVAC Kidney Stone Removal in Worcester, MA
Kidney stones can cause pain and disrupt your daily life. Saint Vincent Medical Group urologists at Saint Vincent Hospital offer CVAC kidney stone removal, an advanced treatment that uses simultaneous irrigation and aspiration to help efficiently remove fragments of kidney stones. This minimally invasive surgery for kidney stones is a safe and effective procedure for a wide range of kidney stone sizes, especially large kidney stones.
What Is CVAC in Urology?
The CVAC Aspiration System is an advanced, minimally invasive technology used during kidney stone treatment to help remove stone fragments from the kidney after they have been broken up with a laser. It is designed to safely and effectively treat larger kidney stone burdens, including some patients who may be at higher risk for more invasive procedures.
What Is Considered a Large Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can sometimes move into the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The size of a kidney stone often helps determine whether it can pass on its own or requires treatment.
Most kidney stones that are smaller than 5 millimeters (mm) pass naturally through the urinary tract without causing significant problems. About half of stones measuring 5 to 10 mm may also pass without treatment.
In general, kidney stones that are larger than 10 mm are considered large and usually require treatment. These stones are more likely to become stuck in the urinary tract, causing severe pain and other symptoms. Because they are less likely to pass on their own, larger stones may need to be broken or removed through a minimally invasive procedure.
The location of the stone, along with its size and type, helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach. While smaller stones may pass within a few days or weeks, stones that do not pass on their own within about four weeks are often treated to help prevent ongoing symptoms and complications.
What Causes Large Kidney Stones?
Large kidney stones can develop over time for many reasons. In most cases, they are caused by a combination of diet, lifestyle, genetic factors and underlying medical conditions. Certain dietary habits may increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. Diets that are high in sodium (salt), added sugar, meat, fish and seafood and low in fruits, vegetables, calcium and water can contribute to stone formation.
Medical conditions, including diabetes, gout and chronic urinary tract infections, among others, can affect how the body processes minerals and waste products, increasing the likelihood of kidney stone formation.
How Are Large Kidney Stones Removed?
During treatment, a urologist first breaks the kidney stones into smaller pieces using laser lithotripsy. The CVAC system is then guided into the kidney through a small access sheath. Using dedicated irrigation and vacuum channels, the device can navigate the kidney's collecting system and suction out stone fragments up to 2.5 mm in size.
The removed fragments are collected in a container attached to the system, allowing the care team to visually confirm stone removal. After the procedure, the urologist can re-examine the kidney to evaluate the results.
The CVAC Aspiration System has been shown to be safe and feasible for kidney stone treatment and may help reduce the need for more invasive procedures, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or additional follow-up procedures in some patients. This can be especially beneficial for individuals with larger kidney stones or those who may not be ideal candidates for PCNL.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stone Removal Surgery?
The CVAC procedure uses a camera-assisted catheter, laser technology and aspiration to break apart kidney stones and remove fragments of kidney stones and dust in a single procedure.
During the procedure, a camera-assisted catheter is inserted into the kidney through the urethra. A laser breaks the kidney stone into tiny pieces and the CVAC Aspiration System continuously removes the fragments and dust. Because kidney stone removal surgery happens during the same procedure, patients typically do not need to pass fragments through their urine or collect them afterward.
In general, the CVAC Aspiration System is covered by most insurance plans. Your out-of-pocket costs, if any, will depend on the specific coverage provided by your health insurance plan. Before your procedure, your doctor’s office or surgery scheduler can help verify your insurance coverage and explain any potential costs. Saint Vincent Hospital accepts most major insurance plans, but it's always a good idea to confirm coverage directly with your insurance provider.
Many of our Saint Vincent Medical Group urologists have near-immediate availability. Fill out the form on this page and you will be contacted for scheduling.