New Kidney Stone Treatment at MWH

Mary Washington Hospital Introduces Advanced Vacuum-Assisted Technology for Kidney Stone Treatment

Fredericksburg, Va. (September 8, 2026) — Mary Washington Hospital is expanding access to advanced kidney stone treatment with the introduction of vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy – sometimes called vacuum lithotripsy, an innovative technology designed to improve stone removal, reduce complications and help patients recover more quickly.

The procedure combines laser stone fragmentation with continuous suction to remove stone fragments and dust in real time. Unlike traditional ureteroscopy, which typically requires surgeons to retrieve fragments individually using a basket device, vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy simultaneously breaks apart and removes stones during the procedure.

The technology is designed to address two common challenges in kidney stone surgery: residual stone fragments that can lead to recurring symptoms or future stone formation, and elevated pressure within the kidney that may increase the risk of infection.

"Vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy represents an important advancement in how we treat kidney stones," said Naveen Nandanan, MD, with Urology Associates of Fredericksburg. "By combining stone fragmentation and removal into a single, continuous process, we can be more thorough in clearing stones while maintaining better control of pressure inside the kidney. Our goal is to help patients achieve a stone-free outcome with fewer complications and a smoother recovery."

Patients undergoing vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy may benefit from more complete stone removal, shorter procedure times, and a reduced risk of post-operative infection. Vacuum-assisted approaches can also improve stone clearance while reducing the need for multiple procedures in appropriately selected patients.

The technology is particularly beneficial for patients with larger kidney stones, dense or impacted stones, or those whose stones are likely to produce significant amounts of debris during treatment. It may also be advantageous for patients at higher risk of complications, including individuals with diabetes, recurrent kidney stones, or a solitary kidney.

Previously, patients requiring this level of advanced stone treatment often had to travel outside the region to larger academic medical centers. By offering the procedure locally, Mary Washington Hospital enables patients to receive advanced care closer to home while remaining connected to their established care team.

"At Mary Washington Healthcare, we are committed to bringing innovative, evidence-based technologies to the communities we serve," said Jim Griffith, Chief Strategy Officer, Mary Washington Healthcare. "Vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy expands the advanced treatment options available to our patients and reinforces our ability to provide high-quality, specialized care close to home."

Kidney stones affect millions of Americans each year and can cause severe pain, infection and other complications. The addition of vacuum-assisted ureteroscopy further enhances Mary Washington Healthcare's comprehensive urology services and supports its ongoing commitment to bringing evidence-based innovations to the communities it serves.

For more information about Dr. Nandanan and Mary Washington Urology, click here.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 397-bed tertiary teaching hospital; Stafford Hospital, a 174-bed community teaching hospital; four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.