St Vincent's Private
Suite 1303, Level 13, St Vincent's Private Hospital
406 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Sydney's dedicated kidney stone clinic
Expert care for kidney stones with Dr Raji Kooner
Urgent stone pain, recurrent stones, or a large or complex stone found on imaging - the full modern range of diagnostic and treatment options, delivered by a senior Sydney urologist.
20+
Years performing ureteroscopy and laser stone surgery
3
Sydney consulting locations
Full range
ESWL, URS, RIRS, PCNL & prevention
Severe pain with a fever is a medical emergency. Kidney stone pain together with fever, chills, or feeling very unwell can mean an infected, obstructed kidney and needs urgent hospital care. Learn the emergency signs or call 000.
From watchful waiting to complex stone surgery
Most small stones pass on their own, and many kidney stones can be cleared with a short endoscopic procedure. For larger or more complex stones, Dr Kooner offers percutaneous and combined-approach surgery. The recommended treatment is always matched to the size, location, and composition of the stone, and to the individual patient.
Watchful Waiting
For small, non-obstructing stones - with structured follow-up and clear escalation triggers if the stone does not pass.
Learn moreMedical Expulsive Therapy
Short course of alpha-blocker medication to help selected ureteric stones pass spontaneously - guideline-recommended for 5-10 mm distal stones.
Learn moreShockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
Non-invasive treatment using focused shockwaves from outside the body to break favourable stones into small fragments.
Learn moreFlexible Ureteroscopy + Laser
A thin steerable telescope and Holmium laser are used to fragment stones inside the kidney - increasingly the workhorse for stones up to about 2 cm.
Learn morePCNL
Percutaneous (keyhole) surgery of the kidney - the guideline first-line for large kidney stones greater than 2 cm and for stag-horn stones.
Learn moreUreteric Stents
Insertion, living with, and removal of ureteric stents - commonly used alongside stone treatment or for urgent relief of obstruction.
Learn moreA structured pathway, from first pain to long-term prevention
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1. Assess and diagnose
A careful history, urine test and low-dose non-contrast CT of the urinary tract (CT KUB) localise the stone and identify any blockage. Blood tests assess kidney function and rule out infection.
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2. Relieve pain and pressure
Analgesia, anti-inflammatories and anti-emetics control symptoms. If the kidney is obstructed and infected, urgent decompression with a ureteric stent or nephrostomy is arranged before definitive treatment.
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3. Treat the stone
Treatment is individualised by stone size, location, composition, and the patient's overall health - watchful waiting, medical expulsive therapy, ESWL, ureteroscopy with laser, or PCNL.
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4. Prevent recurrence
After the first stone, the risk of another is meaningful. A tailored plan - hydration, diet, and targeted medication where indicated - can substantially reduce the chance of a recurrence.
About the specialist
Senior Sydney urologist with a long-standing interest in stone disease
Dr Raji Kooner is a urological surgeon practising across St Vincent's Private (Darlinghurst), the Mater Hospital (North Sydney) and Bowral. He has performed ureteroscopy and pyeloscopy with laser lithotripsy for more than 20 years, using a high-powered Coherent Holmium laser with Moses technology, and has a dedicated metabolic-clinic referral pathway with renal physician colleagues for patients who form recurrent stones.
The emphasis at Sydney Kidney Stone Clinic is on complete stone clearance where feasible, minimally invasive techniques, and careful long-term follow-up to reduce the chance of another stone.
- Principal practice: St Vincent's Private, Darlinghurst
- Head of Urology, Mater Hospital North Sydney
- Regional rooms in Bowral
- FRACS (Urology)
Before your first visit
Do I need surgery for every kidney stone?
No. Small stones of about 4 mm or less often pass on their own with adequate fluid intake and analgesia. Selected small, non-obstructing kidney stones that are not causing symptoms can also be kept under active surveillance with regular imaging.
Do I need a GP referral?
A current GP or specialist referral allows your consultation to be eligible for Medicare rebates. The rooms can advise on fees and out-of-pocket costs before the appointment.
How likely am I to form another stone?
Without preventive measures, around half of patients will form another stone within 5 to 10 years. A structured prevention plan - hydration, diet and, where indicated, targeted medication - can substantially reduce that risk.
I am on blood thinners. Can my stone still be treated?
Yes, in most cases. Flexible ureteroscopy with Holmium laser is commonly used for patients who cannot safely come off anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, because it avoids both the renal puncture of PCNL and the shockwaves of ESWL. Whether medication is paused around the operation is decided case-by-case with your treating cardiologist or haematologist.
Three convenient consulting locations
Mater Hospital North Sydney
Suite 1.12, Level 1
3–9 Gillies Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
Bowral
Suite 9, 70 Bowral Street
Bowral NSW 2576