"There is a 50 percent chance of getting another stone within five to ten years if you've already had one," said Sur. "The UCSD Kidney Stone Center can determine the cause of a kidney stone 97 percent of the time through a combination of tests and scans. These provide us with the pertinent information we need in order to create an individualized prevention plan that incorporates dietary changes and the necessary follow-up."

Although medication therapy is usually the first line of treatment for a kidney stone, surgery is sometimes required. There are several surgical options which include shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy.

"We have come a long way in advancing the surgical treatment of kidney stones," said Sur, who has performed close to 1,000 ureteroscopies. "Our goal, in fact, is to prevent you from going back to the OR for a repeat surgery. Through our research and clinical practice, we hope to reduce the 50 percent recurrence rate of kidney stones down to zero."

UCSD's Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center has the highest volume of kidney stone surgery in southern California, using the most modern and minimally invasive techniques available. The Center also has the region's only comprehensive metabolic program designed to determine the cause of kidney stones and then prevent them.

Source UCSD Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center