Unrivaled Size: Sri Lankan Doctors Successfully Treat Patient with World’s Largest Kidney Stone
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan military doctors have successfully removed what is now recognized as the world’s largest kidney stone from a 62-year-old retired soldier, according to an announcement by the army on Wednesday.
The kidney stone extracted from ex-sergeant Canistus Coonge weighed 801 grams (28.25 ounces), which is more than five times the weight of an average male kidney, as stated by the army.
Measuring 13.37 centimeters (5.26 inches) in length, Coonge’s kidney stone surpassed the average size of a kidney, which ranges from 10 to 12 centimeters.
“The removal of the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone was performed through a major surgery on June 1 at the Colombo Army Hospital,” stated the military in a press release.
Coonge, speaking to the local Swarnavahini TV, revealed that he had been experiencing abdominal pain since 2020, and oral medication had failed to provide relief.
“After a recent scan, I was advised to undergo surgery,” he said. “I feel normal now.”
This Sri Lankan case has now surpassed the previously recorded largest kidney stone weighing 620 grams from a patient in Pakistan in 2008, as officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
“The most significant aspect for us is that the kidney is functioning normally despite the presence of this stone,” commented army surgeon K. Sutharshan. Kidney stones form when minerals and salts crystallize in the kidney during the filtration of blood.
The passing of kidney stones can cause intense pain and may require surgical intervention if they are too large or become lodged.
