What is Lithotripsy?
Definition Lithotripsy is the use of high-energy shock waves to fragment and disintegrate kidney stones. The shock wave, created by using a high-voltage spark or an electromagnetic impulse, is focused on the stone. This shock wave shatters the stone and this allows the fragments to pass through the urinary system. Since the shock wave is generated outside the body, the procedure is termed extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or ESWL. Purpose ESWL is used when a kidney stone is too large to pass on its own, or when a stone becomes stuck in a ureter (a tube which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) and will not pass. Kidney stones are extremely painful and can cause serious medical complications if not removed. Precautions ESWL should not be considered for patients with severe skeletal deformities, patients weighing over 300 lbs (136 kg), patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, or patients with uncontrollable bleeding disorders. Patients who are pregnant should not be treat
Lithotripsy is the breaking up of stones, usually with shock-waves. Shock waves are generated at the tip of an instrument placed directly on a stone (intracorporeal lithotripsy), or by a source outside the body and transmitted to the stone via a water interface (extracorporeal lithotripsy, or ESWL).
Lithotripsy is a procedure in which kidney stones are broken up with shock waves so that a patient can pass them when he or she urinates. This procedure is an alternative to surgery for kidney stones, and it can be very effective, especially in cases where the stones are still in the kidneys. When a lithotripsy is ordered, a patient should plan to set aside a few hours for the procedure, and some special preparations are required on the part of the patient to ensure that it goes smoothly. In extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), the kidney stones are broken up from outside the body with the use of a targeted shock or sound wave. Laser lithotripsy requires the insertion of a device into the ureter for the purpose of aiming at and breaking up the kidney stones. Both techniques are not safe for use in pregnant patients, or patients with certain heart conditions or clotting disorders. Before a lithotripsy can take place, the patient will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking
Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves (thus the term Shock Wave Lithotripsy) to break up stones that form in the kidney, ureter and urinary bladder. The alternative names for Lithotripsy procedure are Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ECSWL), Laser Lithotripsy, Percutaneous Lithotripsy, Endoscopic Lithotripsy or Intracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ICSWL).
Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that produces shock waves that break kidney stones into smaller fragments that can pass more easily through the ureters to the bladder and out the urethra. A lithotripsy is called for when it is determined that a kidney stone is located in the urinary system that is too large for the body to be able to pass naturally. The doctor may first try to let the stone pass by itself by having the patient to force fluids and giving diuretic medicines to promote free urination.
