What is lithotripsy and how does it work?
What is lithotripsy and how does it work?
Lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up large kidney stones into smaller pieces. These sound waves are also called high-energy shock waves. The most common form of lithotripsy is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy considered surgery?
What is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy? Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a technique for treating stones in the kidney and ureter that does not require surgery. Instead, high energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand.
When do you do ESWL?
ESWL may be used on a person who has a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL.
What is a nephron?
nephron, functional unit of the kidney, the structure that actually produces urine in the process of removing waste and excess substances from the blood. There are about 1,000,000 nephrons in each human kidney. The capsule and glomerulus together constitute the renal corpuscle.
What to expect after lithotripsy?
It may be over a week before a person feels able to return to work following a ureteroscopic procedure, however, and full recovery may take even longer. People often experience bruising and soreness after lithotripsy. A fever or chill may indicate an infection, so a person should speak to a doctor. Heavy bleeding after lithotripsy is uncommon.
What should I do after lithotripsy?
In some cases, you may be hospitalized overnight. Plan to spend one to two days resting at home after the procedure. It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water for several weeks after lithotripsy. This will help your kidneys flush out any remaining stone fragments.
What is the success rate of lithotripsy?
According to one study in the Oman Medical Journal, the success rate of lithotripsy is 74 percent for kidney stones and 88 percent stones in the ureter.
What to expect after lithotripsy surgery?
During the recovery period following a lithotripsy, a procedure that breaks up kidney stones using shock waves, patients can expect to see small amounts of blood in the urine. It is also normal to experience nausea or pain while passing the stone fragments, according to MedlinePlus.
