Woman has 'monster' kidney stone removed in Nebraska

Chrissi Anderson's 1-pound staghorn kidney stone was silently growing for years before being discovered.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A 61-year-old woman in Omaha, Nebraska, had a massive 1-pound kidney stone removed through innovative robotic surgery. Chrissi Anderson went to the emergency room for a ruptured appendix, but a CT scan revealed the large, branching 'staghorn' kidney stone that had been growing silently for years.

Why it matters

Staghorn kidney stones are a rare and dangerous condition that can lead to kidney failure if left untreated. Anderson's case highlights the importance of regular health screenings, as the stone was missed in a previous scan in 2019. Her story also showcases how new robotic surgical techniques can be used to remove even the largest kidney stones.

The details

In January 2026, Anderson went to the ER with excruciating back pain and was found to have a ruptured appendix. However, a CT scan also revealed the presence of a massive 1-pound kidney stone with 'horns' that had been silently growing for years. Urologist Dr. Euclid de Souza determined Anderson was a good candidate for robotic surgery using the da Vinci system, which allowed surgeons to remove the entire stone in a single procedure. The stone measured approximately 3 inches across for the 'head' and another 3 inches for the 'antlers'.

  • In 2019, Anderson had a previous scan that did not detect the kidney stone.
  • On January 2026, Anderson went to the ER with a ruptured appendix and the kidney stone was discovered.
  • On March 17, 2026, surgeons used the da Vinci robotic system to remove the 1-pound kidney stone.

The players

Chrissi Anderson

A 61-year-old woman from Omaha, Nebraska, who had a massive 1-pound kidney stone removed through robotic surgery.

Dr. Euclid de Souza

Anderson's urologist who determined she was a good candidate for the robotic surgery to remove the large kidney stone.

CHI Health CUMC Bergan Mercy

The hospital in Omaha, Nebraska where the robotic surgery to remove Anderson's kidney stone was performed.

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What they’re saying

“I couldn't believe it. It was huge and it had horns, and it was like a monster.”

— Chrissi Anderson

“The problem with staghorns is they're very silent because they are big and they cannot move, whereas people complain about the small stones because they move.”

— Dr. Euclid de Souza, Anderson's urologist

What’s next

Anderson is expected to make a full recovery following the successful robotic surgery to remove the large kidney stone.

The takeaway

Anderson's case highlights the importance of regular health screenings, as her massive kidney stone went undetected for years. It also showcases how innovative robotic surgical techniques can be used to safely remove even the largest and most complex kidney stones.