15 mm Kidney Stone: Treatment, Removal Options & Surgery Guide

In nearly all cases, yes. A 15 mm stone is far too large to pass on its own. Because of its size, it poses a high risk of completely blocking your urinary tract, which can cause severe pain, kidney infection, or permanent organ damage. While “surgery” for kidney stones rarely means a traditional open operation, a minimally invasive medical procedure will be required to break up or extract the stone.

No, you won’t be able to pass a 15 mm kidney stone naturally. The ureter cannot expand beyond 5 mm. Thus, you are likely to need medicine or surgical treatment to get rid of the stones. 

The best treatment method for removal of a 15 mm kidney stone is chosen after finding out its size and location. If the stone is in either of the kidneys, the doctor may recommend shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the removal. However, if the stone has moved, surgical techniques, i.e., ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) will be recommended. 

As a general medical rule, any kidney stone that is 10 mm (1 centimeter) or larger almost always requires surgical or procedural intervention.

• Stones under 5 mm: Have an 80% or greater chance of passing naturally with hydration and pain management.

• Stones between 5 mm and 9 mm: Have a roughly 50% chance of passing, often requiring “medical expulsive therapy” (like alpha-blockers to relax the ureter).

• Stones 10 mm and larger: Rarely fit through the 3 to 4 mm ureter and require intervention to protect the kidney.

The removal procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The exact duration depends on the density of your stone and the approach your urologist uses:

• Ureteroscopy (URS): Takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. A laser is used to pulverize the stone into dust. This is typically an outpatient procedure (you go home the same day).

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Because the stone is accessed directly through a tiny incision in your back, it allows the surgeon to vacuum out large 15 mm pieces rapidly, though it may require a brief hospital stay.

Generally, no.

• Most 15 mm stones cannot be dissolved with medicines alone
• Certain uric acid stones may respond to medications, but this is not common and takes time

For the majority of cases, procedural treatment is the safest and most effective option.