Does laser lithotripsy cause pain?

Laser lithotripsy is generally performed under anesthesia—either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia (such as spinal or epidural)—so patients do not feel pain during the procedure. The laser energy is delivered through a ureteroscope or nephroscope directly to the kidney stone, fragmenting it into fine particles or dust that can then pass naturally in the urine. While the procedure itself is painless due to anesthesia, some patients may experience mild to moderate discomfort afterward, including transient flank pain, urinary frequency, urgency, or burning with urination (dysuria), often related to ureteral irritation or passage of stone fragments. These symptoms are typically self-limiting and managed conservatively with hydration, analgesics (e.g., NSAIDs or acetaminophen), and sometimes alpha-blockers to promote stone passage. Rarely, complications such as ureteral injury, infection, or persistent obstruction may occur and require further evaluation or intervention.