Kidney stones are often thought of as a health issue that can resolve on its own. But are kidney stones dangerous? The fact is, this condition should not be underestimated. If not treated properly, kidney stones can lead to various complications, ranging from urinary tract obstruction and kidney swelling to kidney infection. In the long term, they may even increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
The severe pain caused by kidney stones can also significantly disrupt daily activities and reduce a patient’s quality of life.
To provide a more modern and lower-risk treatment option, Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital offers the advanced Zamenix robotic arm technology. This innovation enables kidney stone removal without open surgery and with high precision. With robotic assistance, the procedure becomes more accurate, comfortable, safe, and effective.
Contents
Are Kidney Stones Dangerous? Here Are the Risks
Untreated kidney stones can cause several serious complications, including:
1. Urinary Tract Obstruction
Kidney stones can block the flow of urine, causing it to back up into the kidney. This condition may lead to kidney swelling, known as hydronephrosis.
2. Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)
Obstruction caused by kidney stones can increase the risk of kidney infection, which requires immediate medical treatment.
3. Acute Kidney Injury
Kidney stones may cause sudden impairment of kidney function (acute kidney failure). In some cases, this condition can be reversed with proper treatment.
4. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
The presence of kidney stones can trigger repeated urinary tract infections.
5. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
If left untreated over a long period, kidney stones can cause permanent kidney damage and progress to chronic kidney disease.
Non-Surgical Kidney Stone Treatment with the Zamenix Robotic Arm at Mandaya Royal Puri
Zamenix is a multifunctional robotic arm designed to help doctors accurately locate, break, and remove kidney stones.
This technology enhances procedural precision while maximizing patient safety during treatment.
Key Components of the Zamenix Robotic Arm:
- High-resolution camera: Provides detailed visualization of kidney stone location, even in narrow and hard-to-reach areas of the urinary tract.
- Advanced laser system: Breaks kidney stones, including hard stones, into small fragments for easier removal.
- Specialized grasping instrument: Removes and clears stone fragments after the fragmentation process is complete.
The entire robotic system is fully operated by a urology specialist using a dedicated control device. This allows the doctor to control every movement of the robotic arm with stability, precision, and full control.
The integration of camera, laser, and grasping tools into one system makes kidney stone treatment more effective and minimizes risks. In addition to improving procedural accuracy, this technology also shortens recovery time, allowing patients to return to daily activities more quickly and comfortably.
Advantages of the Zamenix Robotic Arm at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital introduces the Zamenix robotic arm as a modern innovation for safer, more precise, and lower-risk kidney stone treatment.
1. No Incisions and Minimal Bleeding
The procedure is performed using a very small scope inserted through the urinary tract, without any surgical incisions. This technique results in minimal bleeding, lowers infection risk, and offers greater comfort compared to open surgery.
2. Respiratory Synchronization Technology
The Zamenix robot is equipped with a respiratory synchronization feature that allows the laser movement to follow the patient’s breathing rhythm. This makes the stone fragmentation process more stable and precise while minimizing the risk of injury to surrounding healthy tissue.
3. Smart Navigation System with Automatic Memory
Another advantage of Zamenix is its intelligent navigation system, which can record and store the position of kidney stones. If the instrument needs to be temporarily withdrawn, the system can automatically return to the exact same location. This feature shortens procedure time and improves treatment success rates.
4. Faster Recovery with Lower Complication Risk
Because the procedure involves no incisions and minimal bleeding, recovery time is generally shorter. Patients can usually go home sooner and resume normal activities with a significantly lower risk of post-procedure complications compared to conventional methods.
Leading Kidney Stone Professor and Robotic Technology Expert at Mandaya Royal Puri
Kidney stone treatment using robotic technology at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital is performed by Prof. dr. Ponco Birowo, Sp.U(K), Ph.D, a highly respected consultant urologist known for his expertise in urology.
He specializes in treating kidney stones and various urinary tract disorders, including complex cases.
Prof. Ponco completed his medical and urology specialist education at the University of Indonesia and later pursued consultant training in Andro-Urology. He earned his Ph.D. from Hannover Medical School, Germany, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2009. In addition to treating patients, he serves as a Professor at the University of Indonesia and contributes to the advancement of urology in Indonesia.
Medical Conditions Treated:
- Kidney stones, including robotic kidney stone procedures and PCNL
- Bladder disorders
- Prostate enlargement and abnormalities
- Various kidney disorders
Practice Schedule of Prof. Ponco at Mandaya Royal Puri
Prof. dr. Ponco Birowo, Sp.U(K), Ph.D practices at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on:
- Tuesday: 16:00 – 18:00 WIB
- Thursday: 16:00 – 18:00 WIB
To make your visit more convenient, you can use the Chat via WhatsApp feature, Book Appointment service, or the Care Dokter application available on Google Play and the App Store to schedule visits, check queue numbers, and access additional information.
