Man sets world records with 5-inch kidney stone weighing as much as five baseballs
A Sri Lankan man broke two world records this month due to the large size of a kidney stone doctors removed from his body, according to Guinness World Records.
Canistus Coonghe, a 62-year-old retired soldier, had not only the largest kidney stone but also the heaviest.
It’s the largest kidney stone ever recorded and is larger than his actual kidney, Guinness said on its website.
Coonghe’s kidney stone weighed in at 1.76 pounds – about the same weight as five baseballs. Previously, the record was 1.36 pounds, set in 2008 by Wazir Muhammad in Pakistan.
Lengthwise, the stone measured 5.26 inches by 4.15 inches, Guinness wrote on its website.
The previous record was set in 2004 by an Indian man named Vilas Ghuge. Surgeons removed a 5.11-inch kidney stone for him.
Surgeons in Sri Lanka have removed the largest AND heaviest kidney stone ever recorded.
It was 13.37 cm (5.26 in) in length and 10.55 cm (4.15 in) wide. It weighed 800 grams (1.76 lb) - the same as five baseballs.
The patient is recovering well. pic.twitter.com/w87unNvoZJ— Guinness World Records (@GWR) June 15, 2023
How did doctors remove the most recent record-setting kidney stone?
Coonghe’s stone was in his right kidney and was removed by a urological team on June 1 at Army Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Kugadas Sutharshan removed the stone using a procedure called open pyelolithotomy. The procedure allows doctors to remove kidney stones through an incision made in the pelvis of his kidney.
Coonghe’s kidney was still functioning normally, doctors said. His liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen were also normally-sized, doctors said, but his prostate was enlarged.
He is recovering well, Guinness said.
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What is a kidney stone?
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys, according to the Mayo Clinic. They are often caused by diet, excess body weight, and certain supplements and medications.
Kidney stones can impact any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder.
Passing kidney stones can be painful, the clinic said. Cases may differ but some patients may be able to pass kidney stones by taking pain medication and drinking large amounts of water.
Symptoms of kidney stones include sharp pains in the side and back, below the ribs, the Mayo Clinic said. Patients may also experience a burning sensation while urinating, pink, red or brown urine and an increase in urination.
It’s best to see a doctor if you experience pain so severe that it prevents you from getting comfortable, blood in your urine or difficulty urinating.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Largest kidney stone ever: World record broken by Sri Lankan man
