LIVING WITH A GIANT BLADDER STONE FOR OVER 10 YEARS
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Author: BỆNH VIỆN ĐA KHOA QUỐC TẾ NAM SÀI GÒN
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06/09/2023
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71
Despite experiencing unusual urinary symptoms for over a decade, a 67-year-old man endured them without seeking treatment. It wasn’t until his condition severely worsened that he discovered he had been living with a giant bladder stone for 10 years.
Mr. T. K. (67 years old, from Cambodia) had long struggled with frequent and difficult urination, but assumed it was a normal part of aging. He continued to tolerate the symptoms without medical attention. Only recently, when urination became increasingly difficult — requiring straining and occurring in interrupted streams — did he finally visit Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital.
After clinical examination and diagnostic imaging, doctors discovered a massive bladder stone measuring 60×60 mm, occupying nearly the entire bladder. Endoscopy revealed severe bladder inflammation, urethral stricture, and prostate enlargement.
According to the medical team, small bladder stones can often pass on their own. However, in this case, due to the extra-large size of the stone and the poor ability of the lower urinary tract to eliminate it, emergency open bladder surgery was required.
“For stones smaller than 25 – 30 mm, we usually use endoscopic laser lithotripsy to break the stone into small fragments, which are then naturally expelled through the urethra — without any surgical incision”, explained Dr. Le Van Hieu Nhan, Specialist Level II, Deputy Head of the General Surgery Department.
“But in Mr. K.’s case, the stone was far too large, and there were additional lower urinary tract issues. Therefore, open bladder surgery to remove the stone was the safest and most effective solution”.
The procedure was carried out by a surgical team from the Urology – Nephrology – Andrology Department, led by Dr. Le Van Hieu Nhan, Specialist Level II and Dr. Quach Tuan Khang, with support from the anesthesiology team. After 90 minutes, the surgery was successfully completed, and the giant stone was removed.
Bladder stones often develop silently and go unnoticed until complications occur. One of the most common causes is kidney stones that fall into the bladder. If not diagnosed and treated in time, bladder stones can lead to serious complications that may endanger the patient’s life.
After surgery, patients should undergo regular check-ups every 3 to 6 months to screen for newly formed urinary stones. Warning signs such as lower back pain or pelvic pain, painful or difficult urination, frequent urination or blood in urine… should prompt immediate medical consultation. If detected early, endoscopic lithotripsy can be performed, which is minimally invasive, fast to recover, and cost-effective — without leaving surgical scars
Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance.
Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital
No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.
Hotline: 18006767
info@nih.com.vn
Last updated: 17:17 07/08/2025
