Lithotripsy is a technique that uses shock waves to break up fragments or stones that cannot be expelled from the kidney and ureter, leaving them as small as possible so that they can be easily eliminated by the urinary tract.
Evolution of lithotripsy: breaking up kidney stones
Thirty years ago, this technique was performed under epidural anesthesia and required a 24-hour hospital stay. Today, however, it is performed under sedation and on an outpatient basis. The shock wave has different generators, but lower energy implies greater complications in the expulsion of the kidney stone fragments. As for the transmission of the wave, in the past the patient was immersed in a bathtub where the water acted as a transmitter and, nowadays, it is applied in a more localized way, by means of a bag with liquid that adapts perfectly to the body.
Accessing the ureter by means of ureteroscopy
Similarly, some auxiliary techniques such as ureteroscopy have also shown a positive evolution. Ureteroscopy is a procedure that allows access to the ureter from the inside. A few years ago, only urethral calculi close to the bladder could be approached, but techniques have evolved and, using a fine, flexible instrument with a clear vision system, it is possible to reach the kidney in some cases.
Importance of the laser for benign prostatic hyperplasia and lithiasis
Until now, prostate hyperplasia did not require open surgery thanks to the laser, except in cases of large prostates. Nowadays it is possible to operate on any size of prostate, which speeds up recovery, reduces discomfort and possible complications.
Thus, in addition to being used for lithiasis, it is also frequently used in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This means that conventional open surgery is rarely used anymore.
For further information, please consult a specialist in Urology.