What Is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive treatment for kidney stones and gallbladder stones that are too large to be passed through the urinary tract. This procedure uses shock waves to break the stones into small pieces, making them easier to pass via the urinary tract. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a very safe alternative to open surgery, which is now rarely used as a treatment for kidney stones. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses high-intensity shock wave pulses to break large, mineralized kidney stones or gallbladder stones into smaller pieces. Shock waves are applied using an external unit that is aimed at the kidneys. At the beginning of the procedure, the patient lies down on a water-filled support that is placed directly beneath the kidneys.
