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Global Lithotripsy Services |
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How does Lithotripsy Work? Lithotripsy uses shock waves to pulverize urinary
calculi (kidney stones) non-invasively. In contrast, other methods of stone removal
require open surgery (surgical nephrotomy); extraction of the stone through a puncture in
the side of the patient (percutaneous extraction); or the insertion of a ureteroscope via
the urethra with subsequent stone fragmentation and removal by mechanical means. All
invasive procedures carry a higher risk of infection complications than non-invasive
procedures such as lithotripsy. Occasionally, if the stone blocks the flow of urine (an obstructive calculus) the patient experiences severe pain (renal colic). This pain can be controlled by introducing a stent into the ureter. The stent is basically a tube which is placed in the ureter and allows the urine to drain past the obstruction. The stent may be left in after lithotripsy in case of obstruction due to fragments becoming lodged in the ureter. A shock wave is characterized by a very rapid
pressure increase in the transmission medium and is quite different from Ultrasound. The
shock waves are transmitted through the patient's skin and pass harmlessly through the
patient's soft tissue. The shock wave passes through the kidney and strikes the stone. At
the stone boundary, energy is lost, and this causes small cracks to form on the edge of
the stone. The same effect occurs when the shock wave exits the stone. With successive The process generally takes about 1 hour during which up to 8,000 shocks are administered. The patient will experience some discomfort during the treatment depending on the patient's pain tolerance. Analgesics may be administered to make the patient more comfortable. |
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© 1997 - 2002 Global Lithotripsy Services, LLC Web updated: 5 January, 20 04 |
shocks, the cracks open up, and in turn, smaller cracks form within the large cracks.
Eventually, the stone is reduced to small particles, which are then flushed out of the
kidneys or ureter naturally during urination.
