Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves from outside the body for removal of kidney and ureteral stones. Lithotripsy procedure can be used to treat even stones in the gall bladder and liver. With the advancement in surgical techniques, ESWL procedure has replaced the older surgical techniques to remove kidney stones. ESWL is mostly done as an outpatient procedure where the patient is discharged on the same day of the procedure.
Who is an eligible candidate for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
An individual who is experiencing pain in the back, abdomen, groin area which is sudden in onset and severe in intensity and is associated with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort should consult a physician or a urologist who will conduct a thorough clinical and physical examination along with X-ray and ultra sound to locate the stones in the kidney and ureter and identify their size. The indications for getting an ESWL are enlisted as under.
- Kidney or ureteral stones not measuring more than 2cm in diameter
- Solitary kidney stones who are not successfully treated by conservative treatments
- Patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes who are predisposed to renal insufficiency
- In case of military personnel, pilots and medical care providers where stones in the kidney and ureter can lead to emergency situations, hence to avoid such a circumstance an ESWL procedure is indicated
Who should avoid an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
- Women during their pregnancy
- Individuals with Acute urinary tract infections
- Individuals with bleeding disorders or who have tendency of heavy bleeding even on minor wounds
- Individuals with previously diagnosed renal malformations
- Individuals with other gastric problems
Any age restrictions for getting an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
No. Age is not a criterion.
What happens during the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
During the procedure the patient is made to lie on a water filled cushion and X-ray and Ultra sound are used to locate and determine the size of the stone. High energy sound waves or shock waves are passed through the body without affecting any part of the body which break the larger stones into smaller bits which are then removed via the urinary tract. The principle of the procedure lies in utilization of shock waves from outside of the body to break the stones in kidney and ureter into smaller pieces which can be easily voided by the urine.
Anesthesia / Sedative used during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure
The operating surgeon might administer a local anesthetic or a sedative to provide pain relief and sedative to relax and calm the patient mind during the procedure.
Pain after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure
You might experience mild pain after the procedure during urination as the stone fragments are voided in the urine. If the pain persists beyond 2-3 days it is advisable to consult a specialist.
When can you go home after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
An ESWL procedure is usually done on a day care basis meaning the consulting urologist will ask you to get admitted to the hospital in the morning so that you can be discharged by evening on the same day.
What are the risks associated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
Risks commonly associated with any kind of surgical interventions are bleeding and infections. Though ESWL is a non invasive procedure the chances of having post operative complications are fewer.
Will you require another extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure in future ?
The cases where all the stones are not removed in one procedure, ESWL can be repeated again. Consultation with a specialist guides one in deciding the best treatment option for the existing symptoms.
What is the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure ?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is fairly a simple procedure which is non-invasive and lesser recovery time. It has been used as a treatment of kidney and ureteral stones since the past 2-3 decades and the success rates have been well documented in literature.
How to find urologists for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure (ESWL) ?
Now you can find urologists for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple urologists, get approximate cost of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a urologist for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure. Find and choose a urologist for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
