On June 1, the global spotlight turned towards an extraordinary medical discovery in Sri Lanka as doctors successfully extracted the largest kidney stone ever recorded.
This colossal stone, akin to the magnitude of a grapefruit, astounded medical professionals with its remarkable dimensions of 5.26 inches in length and a staggering weight of 1.76 pounds.
Here's the rather graphic video of them removing this colossal stone:
VIDEO: Sri Lankan doctors remove what is now recorded as the world's largest kidney stone, from a 62-year-old retired soldier. According to the army, the stone removed from ex-sergeant Canistus Coonge weighed 801 grams (28.25 ounces). pic.twitter.com/api1IzOs2I
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 15, 2023
From CNN:
Previously the records were 13 centimeters for length, set in India in 2004, and 620 grams for weight, set in Pakistan in 2008, according to Guinness World Records.
Guinness World Records has confirmed that both records have been broken by the Sri Lankan stone, removed at the Colombo Army Hospital.
Kidney stones consist of solid pieces of material that crystallize in the kidney, ureters or bladder due to genetic and environmental factors.
They are relatively common, affecting around 10% of people at some point in their lives, and some studies suggest they may be becoming even more common.
Most types can be prevented by staying hydrated and reducing sodium intake. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.89 to 2.8 liters) of water per day can help remove small stones – less than 3 millimeters (0.11 inches) in diameter – by flushing out the urinary system.
However, the process is notoriously painful.
Considering the remarkable dimensions involved, it's truly astonishing that this man's gallbladder didn't rupture, a condition that can lead to fatal consequences.
