In the ward of the urology department, Uncle Liu (a pseudonym) was packing his luggage with his family, happily planning his travel plans after discharge. On his face, the once painful and weary expression of a sore back was long gone, replaced by a relaxed smile and peace of mind. Who could have imagined that this patient, who was about to be discharged smoothly, had just a week ago had a huge, 30-year-old, antler-shaped stone quietly growing in his kidney. 
Recently, the urology team of our hospital, with their superb minimally invasive techniques, successfully performed a micro-channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy and stone removal surgery on Uncle Liu, successfully relieving the heavy burden that had been pressing on his kidney for 30 years.

Uncle Liu, who is in his 50s this year, was diagnosed with a 7-8mm small stone in his right kidney during a physical examination 30 years ago. Over the years, the stone did not cause any severe symptoms such as kidney colic, and only occasionally caused low back pain and discomfort. Therefore, he did not rush to receive standard treatment. As the disease progressed, the stone gradually increased in size, eventually developing into a huge, horn-shaped kidney stone with a maximum diameter of 4 cm and a CT value of 880 Hu. The symptoms of low back pain and discomfort became more obvious at this time. At this point, extracorporeal lithotripsy could no longer solve the problem, and surgical treatment became the only option. 
Due to his long-term trust in the hospital, Uncle Liu came to our hospital's urology department for treatment. The urology doctor team, with a gentle and professional attitude, patiently analyzed his condition and explained the treatment plan, from the harm of the stones to the surgical process, and then to post-operative rehabilitation. They explained in great detail, allowing Uncle Liu to completely let go of his concerns and receive treatment with peace of mind. Facing this complex case, the urology team of our hospital attached great importance to it. They held multiple case discussions and, based on Uncle Liu's medical history, physical condition, and examination data, unanimously determined that percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was the best treatment plan. 
The urology team, based on the preoperative plan, under the guidance of the attending physician Xing Shuchang, avoided the important blood vessels and normal renal tissue of the kidneys, and controlled the puncture needle to enter the target renal calyx. A single puncture led to urine flow! This crucial operation laid a solid foundation for the subsequent establishment of the surgical channel and the implementation of lithotripsy and stone removal procedures. Through the puncture channel, it was gradually expanded to a F16 (diameter approximately 5mm) microchannel. It took nearly 2 hours to successfully completely remove the stones in the middle and upper calyces of Uncle Liu's right kidney. There was very little bleeding during the operation, and the normal renal function of the patient was maximally preserved. Truly achieving the treatment goal of "minimally invasive stone removal and kidney protection", this high-difficulty minimally invasive surgery was successfully completed.

During the post-operative rehabilitation period, the entire medical team of the urology department provided meticulous care to Uncle Liu. Combined with traditional Chinese nursing external treatment techniques, and in addition, oral Chinese herbal decoctions were used for syndrome differentiation and adjustment to alleviate post-operative discomfort and promote physical recovery. Under the careful care of the team, Uncle Liu's recovery speed exceeded expectations: on the second day after the surgery, he was able to easily get out of bed and move around, his appetite and mental state gradually improved, and the persistent discomfort in his lower back that had troubled him for years gradually subsided.

When about to be discharged from the hospital, Uncle Liu presented a banner inscribed with the words "Kind Heart and Proficient Skills, Saving Lives with Excellent Medicine" to the medical staff of the Urology Department, expressing his gratitude to all the medical personnel. "Over the years, our family has been visiting the hospital for treatment at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. We are extremely satisfied with the treatment results and the service attitude. When this physical examination revealed such a large stone and the doctor recommended surgery, I didn't even hesitate for a moment and chose to have the operation at our hospital." Uncle Liu said sincerely, "It's my fortune to have encountered such a professional and caring team."

"The case of Mr. Liu holds significant warning value," said Dr. Xing Shuchang, the surgeon. "Many patients, like Mr. Liu, have the mindset that if there are no symptoms, there is no need for treatment. They neglect and delay treatment for urinary tract stones for a long time, eventually turning small stones into huge, complex and difficult-to-treat horn-shaped stones. This not only increases the difficulty of treatment but also may damage the kidney function. Through this surgery, we successfully removed the stones from Mr. Liu and protected his kidney function. We also hope that through this case, more citizens will be reminded that urinary tract stones are not terrifying. It is the delay in treatment that is terrifying. Early detection, early diagnosis, and standardized treatment are the most responsible choices for one's own health." 
"We always adhere to the principle that technology should be advanced and service should be caring. We use precise and minimally invasive techniques to relieve patients' pain, and at the same time, we provide meticulous care to safeguard every patient's medical experience. This way, every patient coming to the hospital for treatment can feel at ease, secure and comfortable." said Yu Jianyong, the director of the Urology Department. 
A trust and a banner together depict the warm moment when doctors and patients unite to fight against diseases. The smooth recovery of Uncle Liu is not only a vivid demonstration of the superb minimally invasive techniques and high-quality medical services of our hospital's urology department, but also the best interpretation of our hospital's unwavering belief in "Trust from the people and outstanding reputation". Yantai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital will continue to provide professional medical technology and warm medical services to safeguard the physical and mental health of the general public.