Severe flank pain
Intermittent pain in the left or right lower abdomen or back.
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AI CURATION
Briefly describe your symptoms
to the smart Goldman AI.
- e.g. I urinate frequently and always feel residual urine
- e.g. I feel a burning pain when I urinate
- e.g. Itchy, stinging blisters on my genitals
Urinary Stones
From lithotripsy to complex surgery, only a full range of options allows truly personalized care.
Urinary stones recur often,
so a fundamental solution matters.
Treatment for stones varies by size, location, number, and hardness.
For stones 1cm or larger, multiple stones, lower-pole kidney stones, refractory stones, impacted stones, and more, the full range of options must be available, from lithotripsy to endoscopic surgery, PCNL/ECIRS, and robotic surgery.
For stones 1cm or larger, multiple stones, lower-pole kidney stones, refractory stones, impacted stones, and more, the full range of options must be available, from lithotripsy to endoscopic surgery, PCNL/ECIRS, and robotic surgery.
SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare
SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare
SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare
SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare
What are urinary stones?
Urinary stones (urolithiasis) form in the kidney and block the flow of urine, making them a condition that causes excruciating pain.
Left untreated, they can lead to complications such as infection and kidney failure, so early treatment is important.
Left untreated, they can lead to complications such as infection and kidney failure, so early treatment is important.
Ureteral StonesOver 90% of all urinary stones form in the upper urinary tract.Bladder &
Urethral StonesUnder 10% of all urinary stones form in the lower urinary tract.Kidney stoneUreteral stoneBladder stoneUrethral stone
Ureteral StonesOver 90% of all urinary stones form in the upper urinary tract.Bladder &
Urethral StonesUnder 10% of all urinary stones form in the lower urinary tract.Kidney stoneUreteral stoneBladder stoneUrethral stone
A urinary stone patient's
kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray (KUB)
A urinary stone patient's
abdominal CT scan
Sudden flank pain in summer
may be a warning sign of urinary stones.
In summer, sweating reduces urine output and raises the risk of urinary stones.
It is a seasonal condition that deserves as much caution as heat illness.
It is a seasonal condition that deserves as much caution as heat illness.
Distribution by sex and age group
＊National Health Insurance treatment statistics for urinary stones (N20–N23), 2016–2020
Male
Female
60,000
45,000
30,000
15,000
4,500
- Men develop stones about twice as often as women
- Urinary stone cases rise as temperatures climb
Share of patients treated by month
＊Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, 2023 data
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
- By age, incidence is notably high among relatively young people in their 20s to 40s
- Urinary stone cases surge in the summer
Urinary stones have a high recurrence rate!
Only complete removal is certain!
A tailored approach matched to stone size and location must be considered at every step.
01Recognized by international societies:
Goldman's expertise in stone treatment!- SIU 2025: 100% procedure success rate, officially presented at an international congress
- KSER 2025: Presentation on advanced ECIRS surgical expertise
- 25 years dedicated to urology, 10,000 urinary stone cases treated
02From ESWL to robotic surgery,
Goldman covers every surgical method!- ESWL, ureteroscopy, PCNL, ECIRS and robotic surgery — all performed here
- University hospital–grade holmium laser and endoscopic equipment
- Treatment tailored to the condition of the stone
03Advanced surgery under spinal anesthesia,
with tests, surgery, and discharge all in one day!- Spinal instead of general anesthesia minimizes burden and complications
- Tests → surgery → discharge, all in one day
- Aiming for complete removal that protects kidney function
Urinary stones: why do they occur?
-
Insufficient fluid intake
When urine volume drops, stone-forming substances become concentrated,
raising the risk of stone formation. -
Unbalanced eating habits
Excessive intake of animal protein, sodium, and oxalate increases uric acid
and calcium excretion, raising the risk of stones. -
Excess vitamins
When sun exposure synthesizes a lot of vitamin D, calcium absorption increases,
urinary calcium levels rise, and stones form more easily. -
Genetic Factors
If a family member has had urinary stones, metabolic abnormalities or
higher concentrations of stone-forming substances in the urine raise the likelihood of developing them.
Urinary stones:
what symptoms come with them?
-
-
Hematuria and cloudy urine
Urine may contain blood or be cloudy and foul-smelling. -
Fever and chills
With inflammation, high fever and chills may appear. -
Vomiting and abdominal bloating
Urinary tract obstruction can cause vomiting and abdominal discomfort. -
Residual Urine Sensation
You feel no relief after urinating, as if urine remains. -
Frequency and Urgency
You urinate often or feel sudden urges.
Urinary stones:
accurate diagnosis comes first.
Goldman uses precise testing to pinpoint the location and size of the stone and determine the optimal treatment.
Early detection is crucial for preventing urinary stone complications and ensuring a fast recovery.
Early detection is crucial for preventing urinary stone complications and ensuring a fast recovery.
Medical interview and physical examination
After reviewing your symptoms and pain site, a basic physical exam is done.
Urinalysis
Checks for hematuria, infection, and stone-forming substances.
Kidney-Ureter-Bladder X-ray (KUB)
An abdominal X-ray pinpoints the stone's location and size.
Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)
Contrast is injected to confirm urinary tract structure and any stones.
Ultrasound Examination
Checks for stones and hydronephrosis without radiation exposure.
Computed Tomography (CT)
The most accurate way to diagnose stones, even the smallest.
Goldman, one step ahead once again
AI Smart Stone Care System
With Urodot AI, Goldman analyzes CT images within 5 minutes for a precise diagnosis.
-
Within 5 minutes
A precise diagnosis is completed
in under 5 minutes. -
Improved diagnostic precision
With 13–19% better diagnostic precision,
diagnoses are even more accurate. -
Small stone detection
Even stones smaller than 4 mm
can be treated.
Urinary stone treatment:
how does it work?
Urinary stone treatment varies by the stone's location, size, and symptoms. Mild symptoms are managed with medication, but recurrent or severe cases
require a non-surgical procedure or surgery. Goldman provides the optimal treatment through patient-tailored diagnosis.
require a non-surgical procedure or surgery. Goldman provides the optimal treatment through patient-tailored diagnosis.
Watchful Waiting
Small stones low in the urinary tract may pass naturally with plenty of fluids and exercise.
Medication Therapy
Drug-dissolution therapy for uric acid and cystine stones only, with the dissolving agent delivered directly into the kidney.
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It’s Advanced! Urinary stone treatment:
the BIG 5 reasons Goldman leads the way
Because stone size, location, and symptoms differ for every patient, Goldman uses advanced equipment for precise diagnosis and provides individually tailored treatment.
We protect kidney health with optimal treatment that also considers recurrence prevention, backed by systematic care.
University-hospital-level expertise proven in published papers
Goldman's trusted care system: university-hospital-grade facilities and medical expertise for removing every stone with certainty,
proven through published research.
proven through published research.
More than 10,000 treatments performed
Over 25 years devoted solely to urological disease, Goldman has built a track record of more than 10,000 treatments
and extensive clinical experience grounded in Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data.
and extensive clinical experience grounded in Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data.
Fully equipped — rigid, flexible, and suction endoscopes, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and the Zamenix robot
Goldman's advanced systems handle every kind of stone surgery, so the optimal treatment is chosen accurately and quickly.
Even high-difficulty surgery under spinal anesthesia! Complications DOWN
Goldman performs even complex stone surgeries like PCNL and ECIRS under spinal, not general, anesthesia, easing the burden on patients.
'Definitive treatment' that accounts for recurrence as well
Urinary stones recur often; with university-hospital-grade equipment and expertise, Goldman aims for complete removal without any decline in kidney function.
Questions about urinary stones? Get answers now.
Goldman's know-how gives clear answers to patients' questions.
-
In urinary stone treatment, it is important to choose the method by considering not only the stone's size, location, and number but also kidney function and anatomical structure. Even for the same stone, the treatment equipment and surgical strategy applied can make a difference in the clearance rate and recovery process. With these factors in mind, Goldman Urology Clinic runs its Urinary Stone Clinic around tailored treatment that matches the condition of each stone.
First, treatment strategies draw on accumulated clinical data, including high-difficulty stone surgery results presented at international congresses. This supports a plan that goes beyond removing the stone to address recurrence risk. In addition, we can deliver every option from extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to endoscopic surgery (URS/RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), ECIRS, and Zamenix robotic surgery, so the method is chosen by the stone's size and location.
Even high-difficulty surgeries, such as for giant or multiple stones, are done under spinal anesthesia to ease the burden. Our One-day system completes testing, surgery, and recovery in a single day, so patients return to daily life quickly. This systematic design of the whole process — from choosing the right treatment for the stone, to handling high-difficulty stones, to fast recovery — is what defines the Goldman Urinary Stone Clinic. -
When choosing a hospital for urinary stones, what matters is not just removing the stone but fully assessing stone size, location, and number, and kidney function, and then choosing the treatment best suited to the patient. Because the choice between Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS), and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) depends on stone size and location, a clinic that can proceed to endoscopic surgery if lithotripsy fails is preferable to one that simply "does lithotripsy." Therefore, it helps to also review the following criteria.
- Whether board-certified urologists provide care and a dedicated urinary stone clinic is in place - Whether a range of treatments can be performed, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), endoscopic surgery (URS/RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and ECIRS - Whether it has experience with high-difficulty stone surgery, such as large, complex, or multiple stones - Whether its system moves quickly from testing through surgery to recovery
With urinary stones, treatment depends on stone size and location, and incomplete removal raises recurrence risk — so confirm the medical team has a range of equipment and sufficient clinical experience.
At Goldman Urology, for example, from ESWL to endoscopic surgery (URS/RIRS), PCNL, ECIRS, and Zamenix robotic surgery, we match treatment to each stone's condition, with a system able to handle high-difficulty cases such as giant or complex multiple stones.
In addition, we perform all high-difficulty surgeries under spinal anesthesia to minimize side effects and complications, and our One-day system allows testing, surgery, and discharge in a single day, easing the burden and supporting fast recovery.
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Sudden, unbearable flank or abdominal pain may be a urinary stone. Stone pain often starts abruptly and does not ease when you change position. Severe pain, or pain with blood in the urine, nausea, or fever, needs prompt care. Visit a nearby medical facility as soon as possible. Goldman Urology has five branches — Gangnam, Seoul Station, Incheon, Dongtan, and Jamsil — so you can choose the one closest to you.
If sudden pain makes it hard to travel, visiting the most easily accessible branch first is especially helpful.
Check which branch is nearest you and come in promptly. The Gangnam, Seoul Station, and Jamsil branches are also open 24 hours. 📍 Branch locations and approximate distances
Gangnam Branch: Seocho-dong | 401m from Yangjae Station Exit 1 : Gangnam 3km / Bangbae-dong 4km / Bundang 18km
Seoul Station Branch: Jung-gu | 172m from Seoul Station Exit 3 Seongbuk-gu 6km / Yeongdeungpo 7km / Eunpyeong-gu 8km / Uijeongbu 20km / Nowon 14km
Incheon Branch: Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu | 45m from Arts Center Station Exit 6 : Bucheon 10km / Bupyeong 6km / Songdo 8km / Cheongna 16km / Seo-gu, Incheon 14km
Dongtan Branch: Osan-dong | about 483m from Dongtan Station Exit 2 : Anyang 22km / Bongdam 14km / Suwon 12km / Yongin 18km / Gwanggyo 14km / Gunpo 20km
Jamsil Branch: Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu | 283m from Jamsil Station Exit 7 : Gangdong 5km / Namyangju 14km / Munjeong-dong 3km / Misa 8km / Guri 9km / Byeollae 16km / Hanam 7km
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At Goldman, metabolic testing identifies which stone type tends to form, so recurrence can be prevented. We will go over the details in a consultation. -
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is KRW 300,000–500,000 per session; ureteroscopic surgery is KRW 1,000,000–3,000,000. Costs vary with your condition, so please confirm the exact amount by visiting or consulting us. -
It varies by case but generally takes under 2 hours. You stay about 6 hours for anesthesia and monitoring, but can go home the same day.
Real treatment stories
as told by patients and medical staff
Urinary stones, explained by the Goldman medical team
Reliable urology information — check it through video.
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More Notices-
Conferences & PresentationsParticipated in the Korean Society of Urological Ultrasonography training course and certified as a center of excellence in ultrasound care — "Ultrasound is the stethoscope of urology"2026. 09. 21
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Conferences & PresentationsGoldman Urology’s Dr. Min Seungki and Dr. Na Jun Chae take part in the 4th KSER OPEN Symposium2026. 09. 04
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Conferences & PresentationsThe 7th Goldman Urology Network Clinic Symposium successfully concluded2026. 08. 12
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Conferences & PresentationsGoldman Urology’s Dr. Na Jun Chae and Dr. Min Seungki present clinical experience with robotic surgery for urinary stones2026. 07. 31
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Clinic NewsGoldman Urology reaches 600 robotic waterjet BPH surgeries2026. 07. 23
It’s Advanced!
TOP 7 Reasons Goldman Leads
GOLDMAN Special 7
1
7
-
Urology Only25 Years
1 -
Unrivaled Treatment Data2 Million+
2 -
BPH Surgery Data6,500+
3 -
Urinary Stone Treatment Data10,000+
4 -
Nationwide HoLEP SurgeriesPerformed 40.8% of HoLEP surgeries at Korean clinics
5 -
Experienced Medical Team25 Years of Clinical Experience
6 -
From Diagnosis to SurgeryState-of-the-Art AI System
7
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