Evaluating the composition of kidney stones is important for the treatment and prevention of nephrolithiasis. Objectives The aims of our study were to determine the composition of the renal stones in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients and to compare the composition of staghorn calculi with non-staghorn calculi. Methods Kidney stones removed from adult patientswere analysed using chemical methods. Patients residing in different climate zones of Sri Lanka were analysed separately and comparisons made. Results A total of 50 renal stones from adults (male:female = 2.6:1) were included in the study. There were 21 staghorn calculi. The male to female ratio among patients with staghorn calculi was 3.2:1. There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of staghorn calculi and non-staghorn calculi among males (p=0.17) and among females (p=0.06). Oxalate stones constituted 86% of renal stones. Ten percent were mixed stones. Phosphate and struvite calculi contributed 2% each. Even among staghorn calculi, 76% were oxalate stones. There was no statistically significant difference between contents of staghorn and non-staghorn calculi. The composition of stones in three climatic zones of Sri Lanka was similar except for phosphorus. Conclusions The majority of renal stones (86%) in Sri Lanka are calcium oxalate stones.Contrary to the traditional view based on studies done in the western world, only 5% of staghorn calculi removed from patients in Sri Lanka are struvite or infection stones. Chemical composition of kidney stones obtained from a cohort of Sri Lankan patients

IntroductionOne of the core indicators of monitoring universal access to safe, affordable surgical care is access to timely, essential surgery. Analysing the waiting time for elective operations is one way to determine access to surgical services in a country. Aims of this study were to determine the access to surgical services in a urology unit of Sri Lanka by analysing waiting time for elective surgical operations and to determine whether waiting time is related to income categories and social classes.