Open surgery removes very large stones or stones that cannot be removed by other means. For this surgery, your doctor makes an incision in your side. Your kidney or ureter is opened, and the stone is removed. Then your kidney or ureter is sutured closed.

The skin incision is also sutured closed. A drain is left near the incision to carry urine away from the wound. In some cases, a temporary plastic tube called a stent is placed inside the ureter during the surgery. The stent helps the tissue heal and allows the urine to drain.