Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Procedure
Shock wave lithotripsy swl is the most common treatment for kidney stones in the u s.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure. In this article learn about how the procedure works the success rate how to. The stones are broken into tiny pieces. Due to the need to target the stone eswl is usually reserved for patients with. Lt is sometimes called eswl.
Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves or lasers to break down stones in the kidneys bladder or ureter. The term extracorporeal refers outside the body during the procedure a special machine called a lithotripter generates shock waves which travel into the body and breaks down the stone in small pieces. The most common use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy eswt is for lithotripsy to treat kidney stones urinary calculosis and biliary calculi stones in the gallbladder or in the liver using an acoustic pulse it is also reported to be used for salivary stones and pancreatic stones. Are pregnant because the shock waves and x rays may be harmful to the foetus.
The department of urology at the university of florida was one of six sites within the united states to investigate the efficacy of eswl lead by dr. The procedure uses sound shockwaves through the flank under x ray guidance to fragment the stone and then relies on spontaneous passage of the fragments. The most common form of lithotripsy is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy eswl. Have a bleeding disorder.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy swl is a noninvasive procedure that uses shock waves to break stones in the kidney and ureter into pieces as small as grains of sand. Birdwell finlayson a world renowned expert in stone disease. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy eswl uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract and pass from the body. In the uk nice has found that the evidence for eswt in the majority of indications is conflicting as such.
The most frequent form of lithotripsy used is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy eswl. Usually this procedure is not applicable if you. Extracorporeal means outside the body in this case it refers to the source of the shock waves. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy eswl uses sound waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces that can more easily pass into the bladder and out of the body.
What is shock wave lithotripsy. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy eswl is a noninvasive means of treating kidney and upper ureteral stones. You lie on a water filled cushion and the surgeon uses x rays or ultrasound tests to precisely locate the stone. See a picture of eswl.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.