Lithotripsy is just a medical procedure used to take care of certain kinds of kidney stones and stones in other organs, such as your gallbladder or liver.
Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in your urine crystallize in your kidneys, forming solid masses, or stones. These could consist of small, sharp-edged crystals or smoother, heavier formations that resemble polished river rocks. They usually exit the body naturally during urination.
However, sometimes the body can't pass larger formations through urination. This will result in kidney damage. People with kidney stones may experience bleeding, severe pain, or urinary tract infections. When stones begin to cause these kinds of problems, your doctor may suggest lithotripter machine.
How does lithotripsy work?
Lithotripsy uses sound waves to split up large kidney stones into smaller pieces. These sound waves are also known as high-energy shock waves. The most frequent type of lithotripsy is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Extracorporeal means “outside the body.” In this instance, it describes the foundation of the shock waves. During ESWL, a particular machine called a lithotripter generates the shock waves. The waves travel into the body and break apart the stones.
ESWL has been around since the first 1980s. It quickly replaced surgery as treating choice for larger kidney stones. ESWL is just a noninvasive procedure, this means it doesn't require surgery. Noninvasive procedures are usually safer and easier to recuperate from than invasive procedures.
Lithotripsy takes about 45 minutes to an hour or so to perform. You'll likely be provided with some form of anesthesia (local, regional, or general) so that you don't experience any pain.
After the task, stone debris is taken off your kidneys or ureter, the tube leading from your own kidney to your bladder, through urination.
How to prepare for lithotripsy
It's important to share with your doctor about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you take. Certain drugs, such as aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil), and warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners, can interfere together with your blood's capability to clot properly.
Your doctor will likely ask you to avoid taking these medications well before the procedure. However, don't stop taking drugs you've been prescribed unless your doctor tells you to.
Some people have lithotripsy under local anesthesia, which numbs the location to stop pain. However, most people have the task under general anesthesia, which puts them to sleep throughout the procedure. If you're likely to be under general anesthesia, your doctor may tell you not to drink or eat anything for at the very least six hours ahead of the procedure.
If you're having ESWL under general anesthesia, plan for a friend or member of the family to operate a vehicle you home following the procedure. General anesthesia will make you drowsy after lithotripsy, which means you shouldn't drive before the effects have fully worn off.
Risks of lithotripsy
Like most procedures, some risks are associated with lithotripsy.
You could experience internal bleeding and need a blood transfusion. You can develop infection and even kidney damage each time a stone fragment blocks the flow of urine from your kidneys. The process may damage your kidneys, and they might not act as well following the procedure.
