Kidney Stone Specialist in Birmingham – Simple and Complex Stone Surgery

Mr Subu Subramonian is a consultant urological surgeon who has specialised in kidney stones for over 21 years. He has performed more than 1,700 keyhole kidney operations (PCNL), over 3,000 ureteroscopies and over 5,000 shockwave lithotripsy treatments, and was Chair of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Endourology from 2023 to 2025.

Whether you have a first painful stone or a large, complex stone that other treatments have not cleared, you will see Mr Subramonian personally, from your first consultation through to surgery and follow-up.

Book an appointment: The Priory Hospital, 0121 446 1668 · HCA Harborne Hospital, 0121 812 3051. For severe pain, fever or vomiting with a known stone, go to A&E or call 111 straight away.

About your surgeon

Mr Subramonian MS, FRCS (Urol) has been a Consultant Urological Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham for 21 years, where he served as Clinical Director of Urology and Stone Lead and built the Queen Elizabeth Hospital into the referral centre for complex kidney stones in the West Midlands.

• PCNL (keyhole kidney surgery): 1,700+ operations
• Ureteroscopy and laser: 3,000+ procedures
• Shockwave lithotripsy: 5,000+ treatments
• Research: 44+ scientific papers and 3 textbook chapters
• GMC number: 4559443
• National leadership: elected to the BAUS Endourology Section executive, then Vice Chair and Chair (2023–25).
• Training the next generation: founded the Birmingham stone fellowship, which has trained more than a dozen stone surgeons who now lead services in the UK and abroad. He continues to mentor consultant colleagues in complex stone surgery.
• International training: through Urolink, the charity arm of BAUS, he set up an endoscopic stone surgery training programme based at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania. Regular workshops and online support have made the team there competent in endoscopic stone surgery, surgeons from other East African countries now attend, and the training is being rolled out to further centres.
• Training: higher surgical training in London (King's College Hospital and St George's Hospital) and a British Urological Foundation travelling scholarship at Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA.
• Patient feedback: rated 4.93 out of 5 on Doctify (9 verified reviews).

Kidney stone symptoms

Many small stones cause no symptoms. When a stone moves into the ureter (the tube from kidney to bladder), it typically causes:

• Sudden, severe pain in the side or back, often spreading to the groin, coming in waves
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Needing to pass urine often, or a burning feeling

Seek urgent help (A&E or 111) if you have fever, shivering or feel very unwell with stone pain, pain that painkillers do not control, or you are passing little or no urine. An infected, blocked kidney needs treatment the same day.

Stones are usually confirmed with a low-dose CT scan, and blood and urine tests. Mr Subramonian can arrange scans and tests on the day of your consultation so a treatment plan can be agreed at the first visit.

Treatment options

The right treatment depends on the stone's size, position and hardness, and on your general health. Mr Subramonian offers every modern option, so you get the treatment that suits your stone rather than the one a clinic happens to provide.

• Watchful waiting and medicines – for small stones likely to pass on their own: pain relief, and sometimes a tablet to relax the ureter. Most pass within a few weeks.
• Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) – for smaller kidney stones: shockwaves from outside the body break the stone, with no anaesthetic or cut. Back to normal activity in 1–2 days.
• Ureteroscopy and laser – for stones in the ureter and many kidney stones: a fine telescope is passed up the urinary tract and a Holmium or Thulium fibre laser breaks the stone. Day case, no cut; recovery 2–3 days, and a temporary stent is sometimes needed.
• PCNL and mini-PCNL (keyhole surgery) – for large, complex and staghorn stones: keyhole access directly into the kidney through a small cut in the back; mini-PCNL uses an even smaller track for suitable stones. 1–2 nights in hospital; back to work in about 2 weeks.
• Prevention – for anyone who has had a stone: stone analysis, urine and blood tests, and diet or medicine to stop new stones forming.

About half of people who have one stone will have another within 10 years, so every patient is offered advice on diet and prevention.

Complex stones, second opinions and referrals

Complex stone surgery is where experience matters most. Large and staghorn stones (stones that fill the drainage system of the kidney), stones in abnormal or transplanted kidneys, and stones that have come back after previous treatment all need careful planning and a surgeon who performs these operations every week.

Mr Subramonian regularly treats:

• Staghorn and very large kidney stones
• Stones that other treatments have failed to clear
• Recurrent stones, including full metabolic assessment to find the cause
• Stones in people with complex anatomy, previous surgery or other medical conditions

Second opinions: if you have been told you need surgery, or your treatment has not worked, you can book a second-opinion consultation. Bring or send your scans in advance and Mr Subramonian will review them before you meet.

For GPs and consultant colleagues: many of Mr Subramonian's private patients are referred by other urologists for complex stone surgery. Referrals are welcome by letter or phone through either clinic; urgent cases can be discussed directly.

Clinics, fees and booking

• The Priory Hospital, Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG – Monday and Friday, 18:00–20:00. Appointments: 0121 446 1668
• HCA Harborne Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TQ – Wednesday, 15:00–17:00. Appointments: 0121 812 3051 or 0121 756 9034

Consultation fees (self-pay): initial consultation (30 minutes) £250; follow-up (15 minutes) £200. For a self-pay surgery quote, call the hospital's self-pay team and tell them the operation you need (for example ureteroscopy or PCNL): The Priory Hospital 0121 446 1593 · HCA Harborne Hospital 020 7234 2948.

Insured patients: Mr Subramonian is recognised by BUPA, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, CS Healthcare, Saga and Simplyhealth. Please get an authorisation number from your insurer before your appointment.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can I be seen?

Most patients are seen within a week. If you are in pain or have a stent in place, tell the booking team and an earlier appointment will be arranged where possible.

Do I need a GP referral?

Not for self-pay patients. Most insurers ask for a GP or specialist referral, so please check your policy first.

Will my stone pass on its own?

Many stones smaller than 5 mm pass without treatment within a few weeks. Larger stones, or stones causing infection, blockage or uncontrolled pain, usually need treatment.

Which treatment is best for me?

It depends on the size, position and hardness of your stone. Mr Subramonian will explain the options, with the success rate and recovery for each, at your consultation.

Will I need a stent?

Sometimes, after ureteroscopy or PCNL, a thin temporary tube (stent) is left to help the kidney drain. It is usually removed within one to two weeks, often with a simple string method that avoids a further procedure.

I have been told my stone is too complex, or previous treatment failed. Can you help?

Yes. Complex and previously treated stones are Mr Subramonian's main specialist area. Book a second-opinion consultation and send your scans in advance.

How can I stop stones coming back?

Drinking enough fluid is the single most important step. Stone analysis and urine tests can show whether diet changes or medicine would help in your case.