Sri Lanka Doctors Remove Record-Sized Bladder Stone

Surgeons in Sri Lanka have successfully removed a staggering 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) bladder stone from a 55-year-old man, which is believed to be the largest of its kind ever recorded. The operation took place last week at a hospital in Trincomalee, located in the eastern part of the country.

The man was admitted after suffering a stroke, during which doctors identified issues with his urinary bladder as he reported difficulties in urinating. Upon further examination, they discovered the presence of stones in his bladder.

Dr. Prahalahan Balakrishnan, who led the surgical team, expressed that the size of the stone was comparable to that of a full-term baby, and approximately the size of an ostrich egg. He stated, “According to available records, it is the largest bladder stone ever documented and removed through surgery.” Fortunately, the patient is reported to be in “very good health” and continues to receive treatment for his other medical issues.

It is believed that the bladder stone had remained in the patient’s bladder for five to ten years before being surgically removed. Such stones form when minerals in the urine crystallize, creating solid lumps. In instances where the bladder does not fully empty, concentrated urine can lead to crystal formation.

While smaller bladder stones, akin to grains of sand, may pass without medical assistance, stones exceeding 1 cm often impede urine flow and necessitate intervention. A stone larger than 4 cm is classified as giant.

Prior to this surgery, the record for the largest bladder stone was held by a patient in Brazil, from whom a stone weighing 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) was removed in 2003. That stone measured 17.9 cm (7 in) in length. In contrast, the stone extracted in Sri Lanka measured around 17 cm long.

The surgery not only marked a medical marvel in terms of the stone’s size but also brought attention to urinary health and the potential complications arising from untreated bladder stones.