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Kidney Stone Disease and Endourology Program

Director: Ojas Shah, M.D.

The Endourology and Comprehensive Kidney Stone Program at New York University Langone Medical Center, is committed to the treatment, evaluation and prevention of kidney stones, as well as to the endourologic (minimally invasive) treatment of urinary tract obstructions and cancers. 

Our special interests include the surgical and metabolic treatments of kidney stone disease and the use of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of upper tract transitional cell (urothelial) carcinoma, ureteral strictures and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. We also offer expertise in ureteral and renal reconstructive surgery.

It’s estimated that ten percent of Americans will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime. The goal of the Kidney Stone program is to evaluate, treat, and prevent kidney stone disease. At Urology Associates at New York University Medical Center, our team is committed to using state-of-the-art technology to improve minimally-invasive and endoscopic kidney stone treatments. The cornerstone of our program is the prevention of recurrent stones. In particular, medical and dietary therapy are critical for averting repeated painful episodes and the problems that come with them, including missed work time, loss of kidney function, and multiple future surgeries.

Our urologists are experts in all aspects of surgical treatment for both basic and highly complex stone disease, including shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, robotic surgery/laparoscopy and, in rare cases, open surgery. We know that the best treatment is always an individualized therapy based on a detailed discussion between doctor and patient regarding the risks, benefits, and success rates of various approaches.

Ureteroscopic Treatment of Complex Stone Disease

One of the major strengths of the Kidney Stone program at Urology Associates at New York University Medical Center, is our experience with ureteroscopic treatment — surgery without any incisions — of complex stone disease and larger stone burdens. The instruments used for ureteroscopic surgery are less than 4 mm in width and have the ability to traverse the inside of the entire urinary tract. Technological advances with fiber optic and digital scopes have now enabled this visualization to be magnified, allowing for optimal therapy with a very low complication rates. Our experience and reputation for innovation are the reason Urology Associates at New York University Medical Center is a major referral center for the treatment of complex stone disease as well as for the complications that can occur during the management of kidney and ureteral stones.

Kidney Stone Prevention

Following successful surgical treatment, we emphasize prevention of future stones through a combination of metabolic evaluation, medical therapy, and dietary counseling. Our goal is to improve quality of life by stopping new stones from forming. To accomplish this, we use a team approach that includes having a dedicated nutritionist available when necessary to discuss the dietary modifications required to avoid recurrences of this painful condition.

Our program is actively engaged in clinical and basic science research involving the formation, prevention, and alternative treatments regarding all aspects of stone disease. We are dedicated in the management of simple to the most complex kidney stone problems with our state-of-the art technology.

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