Bladder Stones Treatment Melbourne
Bladder stones are hardened mineral deposits that form when urine is not completely emptied from the bladder, most commonly due to bladder outlet obstruction from an enlarged prostate in men. Dr Brendan Dias provides prompt diagnosis using cystoscopy and imaging, followed by endoscopic cystolitholapaxy to fragment and remove the stone, with same-day or overnight discharge for most patients. Because bladder stones frequently recur if the underlying cause is not addressed, treatment often includes management of associated conditions such as BPH at the same time or as a planned follow-up procedure.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Brendan Dias
Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Urology), IntFRCS (England), FUSANZ, FRACS (Urology)
Last clinically reviewed: 26 August 2026
Benefits
- Definitive diagnosis of stone and underlying cause via cystoscopy and imaging
- Complete stone removal through the urethra with no external incisions
- High single-procedure success rate for most stone sizes
- Same-day or overnight discharge for most patients
- Combined treatment of underlying BPH available to prevent recurrence
- Rapid symptom relief once the stone is removed
- Reduced risk of recurrent infection and bleeding once treated
The Procedure
Cystolitholapaxy is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. A cystoscope is passed through the urethra into the bladder, which is filled with irrigation fluid for clear visualisation. The stone is fragmented using laser, ultrasonic, or mechanical lithotripsy energy, and the fragments are washed out or extracted directly. For very large or multiple stones, a suprapubic percutaneous approach or, rarely, open cystolithotomy may be required. Where bladder outlet obstruction such as BPH is identified as the underlying cause, this is often treated in the same or a subsequent procedure to reduce the risk of stone recurrence.
Who Is a Candidate?
Bladder stones should be suspected in men with pelvic or lower abdominal pain, interrupted or positional changes in urinary stream, blood in the urine, or recurrent urinary tract infections, particularly those with known prostate enlargement, neurogenic bladder, long-term catheters, or bladder diverticula. All confirmed bladder stones are candidates for endoscopic removal, as they do not resolve spontaneously; the choice of technique depends on stone size, number and hardness.
Recovery
Most patients are treated as a day case or with an overnight stay, with a catheter left in place briefly to drain the bladder and allow settling of any bleeding. Mild burning with urination and light haematuria are common for a few days and resolve with good fluid intake. Return to normal activities is usually possible within a few days to a week. If an associated BPH procedure was performed at the same time, recovery follows the timeline for that procedure.
Risks & Considerations
Cystolitholapaxy is a safe procedure with low complication rates. Risks include urinary tract infection, temporary burning or bleeding with urination, incomplete stone clearance requiring a further procedure for very large or hard stones, and rarely bladder injury or stricture from instrumentation. Without treatment of the underlying cause, bladder stones have a meaningful risk of recurrence, which is why assessment and management of conditions such as BPH is an important part of overall treatment.