What is extracorporeal lithotripsy?
It is a method that applies shock waves to disintegrate stones in the kidney and ureter. In other words, the technique makes it possible to remove kidney stones.
It is very useful in cases of kidney stones whose size does not exceed 2 cm in diameter. In case of larger diameter it is recommended to follow another treatment.
Why is it performed?
It is currently one of the most recurrent treatments for the treatment of kidney stones. Kidney stones are stones that form when minerals or salts found in the urine are converted into solid crystals.
If they accumulate in the kidney they can form larger stones, causing pain, infection and obstruction when urinating.
What does it consist of?
It is a painless process that fragments kidney stones so that the patient can expel them from the body through urine. The session usually lasts between 45-60 minutes. First, an ultrasound is performed to locate the exact position of the stone.
Once this is done, shock waves are applied by focusing the lithotripter generator on each stone. The intensity of the shock waves will gradually increase, so it is possible that at some point it may cause damage or stabbing pain in the skin of the back.
Benefits
- Painless method.
- It is performed on an outpatient basis.
- It is a non-invasive technique that does not require manipulation of the urethra.
- It does not require anesthesia.
Contraindications
Although they are rare, they may appear as a consequence of lithotripsy:
- Possible lesions of some tissues due to the application of shock waves.
- Hematuria.
- Hematoma in the treated area.
- Urinary tract obstruction.
- Possible urinary tract infection as a consequence of urinary tract obstruction.
Results
The success rate of this technique is around 80%. The following 15 days after the treatment the patient will be expelling the remains of stone fragments through the urine until the body eliminates them completely.
It is recommended to drink plenty of water to help eliminate the stone fragments and continue taking painkillers as directed by the doctor.
A visit to the doctor will be necessary to check the progress of the stone disease.