Mr. Hung visited Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for a health check-up after experiencing persistent fatigue, frequent urination, and a weak urine stream. A computed tomography scan revealed a 3 cm staghorn stone in his left kidney and grade 2 hydronephrosis. His prostate volume measured about 70 ml, which is 2,5 times larger than an average man's.
Dr. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Master of Science and Deputy Head of the Urology Department at the Urology - Nephrology - Andrology Center, explained that the prostate enlargement was causing urinary obstruction, making medical treatment ineffective and necessitating surgical intervention. The staghorn kidney stone also required surgery to prevent complications such as infection and kidney damage. The medical team opted for a retrograde endoscopic laser lithotripsy to remove the kidney stone, while simultaneously applying Rezum steam therapy to shrink Mr. Hung's prostate.
Rezum is a minimally invasive procedure, typically taking 10-15 minutes, with a low complication rate. It is particularly suitable for older patients with comorbidities. This "two-in-one" combined approach does not increase the procedure time or surgical risks. Instead, it reduces the number of interventions, overall costs, and treatment duration for the patient.
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The medical team performs endoscopic lithotripsy combined with steam therapy. Tam Anh General Hospital.
Over two hours, Dr. Cuong and Dr. Phan Truong Nam, Specialist Level I, meticulously broke the staghorn stone in the left kidney into small fragments, one to two mm in size. They then placed a JJ ureteral stent to ensure proper urine flow. Following this, the team injected steam to ablate prostate tissue around the urethra. One day after surgery, Mr. Hung was able to sit up and walk around his room.
He had a follow-up appointment one week later, where his urinary catheter was removed, and his urine flow showed significant improvement. The doctor advised Mr. Hung to drink two to 2,5 liters of water daily, engage in light activity, and avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting for the first two weeks. Additionally, he was advised to limit salt, alcohol, and spicy foods, while increasing his intake of vegetables and fiber to prevent constipation.
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Mr. Hung recovers one day after surgery. Tam Anh General Hospital.
Dr. Cuong highlighted that prostate enlargement and kidney stones are common conditions in men, often progressing subtly, making them easy to overlook. These conditions can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections and impaired kidney function. Men aged 50 and above experiencing symptoms like frequent urination, nocturia, a weak urine stream, incomplete bladder emptying, back pain, or hematuria should seek prompt medical examination and treatment. Early intervention can reduce the risk of complications and preserve kidney function.
Ha Thanh
