Chesapeake Urology Kidney Stone Specialist Takes Novel Approach to Getting Patients 100% Stone Free

Julio Davalos, M.D. Performs Innovative, Complex Tubeless PCNL Surgery for Large Kidney Stones

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Mar 17, 2015, 10:00 ET

OWINGS MILLS, Md., March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- March is National Kidney Month and one Chesapeake Urology physician is taking his goal of helping his patients become 100% stone free to heart. Julio Davalos, M.D., head of Chesapeake Urology's Kidney Stone Disease Program, is one of only a few surgeons in the Mid-Atlantic region performing tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy or tubeless PCNL, an innovative surgical treatment for patients who have large kidney stones that cannot be treated successfully using ESWL (shock wave therapy) or other treatments.

Julio Davalos, M.D. of Chesapeake Urology

PCNL and tubeless PCNL has become a viable and preferred alternative to open surgery for removing kidney stones, benefitting patients when performed by a highly trained surgeon who has specific experience with this intricate procedure. In fact, only a small number of urologists nationwide are specially-trained to perform this advanced surgical procedure, including Dr. Davalos.

"PCNL and tubeless PCNL has become a standard in treatment for complex, large kidney stones in our practice. I'm pleased to be able to bring this innovative procedure to the patients who need it most," says Dr. Davalos, who has performed about 1,000 of these complex procedures to date. "Surgery is only one step in a long journey to treating patients with stone disease. Identifying why patients make stones, complete metabolic management of patients and educating people about prevention of future stones is all part of our long-term approach and management of kidney stone disease."

What is PCNL and Tubeless PCNL?

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy or PCNL is used to remove kidney stones that are larger than 2cm in diameter and cannot be passed through the urinary tract. Percutaneous refers to surgery via a small incision through the skin, rather than an open, more invasive procedure.

To perform the surgery, Dr. Davalos makes a small, 1 cm (about 1/2 an inch) incision in the patient's back. A small tube is placed into the drainage system of the kidney close to the stone being treated. X-ray imaging is used to help guide the surgeon. A small telescope is then inserted via the tube into the kidney. The stone is then broken up using specialized instruments. The stone pieces are then cleared from the kidney.

Tubeless PCNL – An Innovative Approach Performed by the Highest Trained Urologic Surgeons

In some cases, patients may have a nephrostomy tube exiting the surgical site which is used to drain excess fluid from the kidney such as urine and blood. However, Dr. Davalos has found through his extensive training that this tube, which is often a source of great discomfort for patients, is not necessary in many cases. As a result, Dr. Davalos is a pioneer in performing what is known as Tubeless PCNL, which he now considers the standard surgical technique for removing complex and large kidney stones.

In tubeless PCNL surgery, rather than leaving the drainage tube in the patient following extraction of the stone, the tract leading from the outside of the body through to the kidney is sealed using a specially designed plug that Dr. Davalos researched and developed himself. Most patients receive a stent that allows the excess fluid and microscopic stone fragments to easily pass through the urinary system.

Utilizing this tubeless approach, Dr. Davalos is able to minimize post-operative pain and patients experience no leakage of fluids as well as a quicker recovery.

A Unique Take on Kidney Stone Disease and Prevention

Where many physicians merely treat a patient's kidney stones, Dr. Julio Davalos believes strongly in treating the whole patient, focusing on what caused the stone to form in the first place and how to prevent those stones from recurring. Metabolic evaluation and long-term medical management is an important component of Chesapeake Urology's kidney stone disease program. Stone analysis, regular monitoring and exams as well as education on nutrition and prevention of stones is all part of Chesapeake Urology's coordinated program.

"For me, treating a patient's kidney stone is just the beginning of a long relationship," says Dr. Davalos. "My goal is to get all of my patients 100% stone free for the long-term."

To learn more about tubeless PCNL and Dr. Davalos' innovative approach to helping patients become 100% stone free, call 866-953-3111 or visit chesapeakeurology.com.

About Chesapeake Urology

Chesapeake Urology is a fully-integrated urology practice providing a comprehensive array of urologic services to its patients. The Company operates 21 medical offices and 14 AAAHC-certified ambulatory surgery centers in Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Carroll, Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and Anne Arundel counties and in Baltimore City, and has a staff of more than 500 including 63 physicians. Chesapeake Urology has been named one of the top 100 places to work in healthcare nationally by Modern Healthcare magazine and locally by Baltimore magazine. For information about Chesapeake Urology, please visit ChesapeakeUrology.com.