Sri Lankan military doctors have achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new Guinness World Record for removing the largest kidney stone ever found. The prestigious honor goes to the team of doctors who successfully extracted a massive kidney stone from a retired soldier, Canistus Coonge, aged 62.
According to the Sri Lankan army, the kidney stone removed from former sergeant Coonge weighed a staggering 801 grams (28.25 ounces), which is more than five times the weight of an average male kidney. In comparison to the typical length of 10 to 12 centimeters for a kidney, Coonge’s stone measured an astounding 13.37 centimeters (5.26 inches).
This groundbreaking surgical procedure took place on June 1 at the Colombo Army Hospital, as stated by the military in an official statement. Coonge revealed in an interview with local Swarnavahini TV that he had been experiencing abdominal pain since 2020, despite taking oral medication that had no effect. Following a recent scan, he was advised to undergo surgery, and now he feels completely normal.
The previous record for the largest kidney stone, weighing 620 grams, was held by a patient from Pakistan in 2008, as reported by Guinness World Records. However, the remarkable case in Sri Lanka has surpassed this previous milestone, according to the South China Morning Post. After official recognition by Guinness World Records on Wednesday, the announcement was made.
Army surgeon K. Sutharshan emphasized that the most important aspect of this achievement is that the kidney is still functioning normally despite the presence of the stone. Kidney stones form when minerals and salts crystallize during the blood filtration process. If the stones grow too large and become lodged, surgery becomes necessary for their removal. Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful.
This incredible medical accomplishment by the Sri Lankan military doctors has not only set a new record but also highlighted the resilience and expertise of the medical professionals involved in this groundbreaking surgery.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
