First-ever removal of kidney stone with minimal incision achieved at NRH by 4th China medical team and local doctors

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

Medical history was made again at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) with Solomon Islands’ first ever kidney stone removal surgery with minimal incision or ‘surgery cut’.

This type of surgery is called minimal invasive kidney stone lithotripsy, and was successfully performed by the 4th China Medical Team with the urology team of NRH on January 22.

Last year, the China – Solomon Islands medical cooperation successfully carried out similar historic procedures for bladder stones.

For the kidney stone removal, the team performed a flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy (breaking kidney stone with laser) on a patient with right kidney stones, signifying a leap forward in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract stones, a statement by the 4th China Medical Team (CMT) yesterday [Jan 29] said.

During this procedure, Dr Chen Xulong from CMT and Dr Augustine Melly from the NRH urology department conducted thorough preoperative evaluations and carefully formulated a surgical plan, further extending minimally invasive technology to the treatment of kidney stones.

The surgery was performed through the body’s natural orifice (opening) by inserting a flexible ureteroscope, precisely reaching the renal lesion (a cyst around the kidney).

The stone was accurately broken up using a holmium laser and removed with the assistance of a negative-pressure suction system, fully demonstrating the advantages of minimally invasive surgery—no external incision, minial trauma, high precision, and rapid recovery, the CMT statement said.

Mr Melly said, “Through my studies in China and the meticulous mentorship of Chinese doctors, I have mastered internationally advanced minimally invasive techniques.

“Today, I am able to independently relieve my fellow citizens of their suffering—something that once seemed unimaginable.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities created by China–Solomon Islands medical cooperation.

“This partnership has not only elevated our medical capabilities but has also brought renewed hope to local patients.”

CMT Team Leader Zhao Xueke said that the success not only fills the technical gap but also marks the upgrade of China–Solomon Islands urological cooperation from “single-technology breakthroughs” to a new phase of systematic capacity building.

The medical team will continue to use the China – Solomon Islands Urology Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Project as a platform to strengthen training for local medical staff, promote the standardised and routine implementation of invasive techniques, ensuring more stone patients can access safe, efficient, and high-quality advanced medical services locally – without the need for long-distance travel, the CMT statement said.

Prior to this, due to limited medical resources and delayed presentation, some patients diagnosed with kidney stone have significantly enlarged or become impacted, often accompanied by hydronephrosis or even renal function impairment, posing serious health risks, CMT said.

Solomon Islands has reached a milestone in the management of urinary stone disease.

The treatment model, which has relied on traditional open surgery, is shifting towards minimally invasive approaches, with alternative techniques reserved for exceptionally large stones or complex anatomical conditions.

This is not the first historic feat of the China – Solomon Islands medical cooperation.

Last year the China–Solomon Islands medical cooperation also achieved history with minimal invasive surgery to remove bladder stones.