The passing of a special medical instrument through the skin into the kidney to remove kidney stones is which of the following?

The procedure described involves the use of a special medical instrument that is inserted through the skin to access the kidney for the purpose of removing kidney stones. This technique is referred to as percutaneous nephrolithotomy. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure specifically aimed at treating nephrolithiasis, or kidney stones, by allowing direct access to the renal collecting system through a small incision in the skin. This method is preferred for larger stones or when other non-invasive techniques, such as shock wave lithotripsy, have failed or are not suitable.

During the procedure, a nephroscope is used, and the stones are either fragmented and removed or extracted whole, ensuring that the patient can have relief from the obstruction and associated symptoms. This technique is particularly advantageous because it can often lead to shorter recovery times and reduced hospital stays compared to open surgical methods.