Kidney stone and removal

My brother has a kidney stone and the doctor says he will remove it with a scope. Is this really necessary?

Sometimes the stone is large and/or impacted in the ureter. In such cases, it may not pass through. To remove the stone with a scope is not a fun thing. Trying putting a thin wire up your penis and you will get the idea how it feels. Your brother will need some type of anesthesia. These scopes are flexible, have a camera and one can also pass instruments to retrieve the stone. The stone can also be broken down and then pulled out. In any case, the recovery is fast but it is an expensive undertaking. In the meantime, tell your brother to drink lots of fluid- if lucky the stone may pass and he may not need surgery.