What you need to know about:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Fast Fact

80%

Worth It Rating

Average Cost:

Please enquire

Recovery Period:

Several days

Permanence:

Depends on patient condition

177

Doctors

Time it takes:

1-2 hours

Hospitals & Clinics

Reviews

Anesthetize:

General Anesthesia

Check treatment prices & reviews

Overview of

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

in Thailand

Shock wave lithotripsy is a common treatment for kidney stones. Providers sometimes call this procedure extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). ESWL uses high-energy shock (pressure) waves to break up stones. Tiny pieces of kidney stones can then move through the urinary tract more easily. The use of low-frequency, high-energy shock waves, externally sent through the skin to target kidney stones causes the stones to break down into fragments until they become "stone dust", small enough to pass through urination. ESWL may help reduce your symptoms (such as pain) and allow you to pass the kidney stones on your own. It may help you avoid more invasive surgery to remove kidney stones.

Goals of

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

ESWL may be used on a person who has a kidney stone that is causing pain or blocking the urine flow. Stones that are between 4 mm (0.16 in.) and 2 cm (0.8 in.) in diameter are most likely to be treated with ESWL. ESWL may work best for kidney stones in the kidney or in the part of the ureter close to the kidney. Your surgeon may try to push the stone back into the kidney with a small instrument (ureteroscope) and then use ESWL. ESWL is usually not used if you: Are pregnant. The sound waves and X-rays may be harmful to the fetus. Have a bleeding disorder. Have a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or kidney cancer. Have kidneys with abnormal structure or function.

Price of

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Average Cost

Please enquire

Price Range

Please enquire

Pros and cons of

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Pros

-Short hospital stay

-Non invasive

Cons

Limitations are as follows:

-Stones which are too large (kidney stones larger than 2 centimeters / ureteral stones larger than 1-1.5 centimeters)

-Patients with bacterial infection and inflammation of the urinary tract (which needs to be cured prior to the procedure in order to avoid worsening the infection)

-Patients with bleeding disorders

-Patients with a urinary tract obstruction (must first be corrected)

-Patients who are overweight, obese, or pregnant

‍

How it works:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Your provider will not need to make any incisions during a shock wave lithotripsy procedure. But you’ll still need some form of anesthesia (pain relief) to keep you comfortable. You may be awake but drowsy or asleep during the procedure. During a shock wave lithotripsy procedure the following steps usually occur: 1. You lie on a padded table on top of a water-filled cushion. Less commonly, you may sit in a large tub of water. 2. Providers use X-rays or ultrasound to pinpoint a kidney stone’s location. These images help providers aim shock waves precisely to make treatment more effective. 3. Your care team may move you slightly to line up your body with the energy beams. 4. A shock wave lithotripsy machine sends powerful energy waves through the water and into your body. If you’re awake for the procedure, you may hear a popping sound or feel a tapping sensation along your side. 5. Thousands of shock waves are aimed at the kidney stone, breaking the stone into many pieces. Smaller pieces can then pass more easily through the urinary tract.

Preparation before

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Pre - treatment

Once urinary tract stones have been diagnosed, the doctor will consider whether or not the patient should undergo ESWL. The decision will be based on a variety of factors such as the location and size of the stones, density of the stones, any inflammation or swelling of the kidneys, the patient’s overall health, and whether or not the patient will be able to handle the intensity of the shock waves. The patient will receive a physical examination and undergo the standard preparations for surgery.

Recovery of

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Post - treatment

As you recover from shock wave lithotripsy, you can expect to: -Feel sore for a day or two: Right after shock wave lithotripsy, you may feel sore or stiff near the treatment area. Some people notice slight bruising along their side. -See blood in your urine: It’s common to see small amounts of blood in your urine. (Your pee may look pink.) It may hurt to urinate. These symptoms usually go away after a few days. -Collect stone pieces that you pass: Testing the stone may tell your provider what caused your kidney stones (and how to prevent new stones). Your provider may give you a urine strainer. It looks like a funnel with mesh at the bottom. It collects stone fragments when you pee. -Drop off the stone sample for testing: You can store the stone fragments you collect in a specimen cup your provider gives you or a plastic bag. Follow your provider’s instructions. You may need to take it to your next follow-up visit or drop the sample off at a lab. -Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps stone fragments move through your body. Drinking water may also help you avoid constipation (a common side effect of certain pain medications).

Risks & side effects

Complications of ESWL are usually relatively mild; patients may experience the following symptoms: -Blood is mixed in with urine causing a reddish color, but will gradually fade after urinating 2-3 times. -There may be an increase of inflammation in patients with a pre-existing infection, but can be treated with antibiotics. -There may be some abdominal pain in cases where stone fragments migrate and cause blockage in the urethra – which will pass normally as well. -Nearby organs such as the intestines, arteries, and veins, may sustain some minor injuries.

FAQs:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

What are the symptoms/signs of kidney stones?

-Abdominal or lower back pain -Urinary abnormalities, similar to the symptoms of cystitis, such as frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, or the presence of blood in urine, etc. -Inability or difficulty urinating, or interrupted urine flow. -The presence of small, gravel-like stones mixed in with urine -Urinary tract infection, with fever.

‍

When does a kidney stone need to be treated?

Most kidney stones pass on their own. But sometimes, a kidney stone becomes too big to move through (or gets stuck inside) the urinary tract. Pain during a ‘kidney stone attack’ is typically due to a stone getting stuck in the ureter and blocking drainage of urine from the kidney. Kidney stones may cause health issues, such as kidney damage, blood in the urine or a severe infection. In these cases, treatment can help you safely get rid of kidney stones and feel better.

‍

How common is this procedure?

Shock wave lithotripsy is very common. It is the second most common way in which kidney stones are surgically treated in the US.

‍

How long does this procedure usually take?

Shock wave lithotripsy typically takes about one hour. Your procedure may take more or less time, depending on the size and number of kidney stones you have and your overall health.

‍

What happens if ESWL does not work?

In some cases, shock wave lithotripsy doesn’t break up a stone enough for all pieces to pass on their own. If that happens, you may need another procedure. Depending on your situation, your provider may recommend a second shock wave lithotripsy. Or your provider may suggest clearing any remaining stones through a minimally invasive procedure called ureteroscopy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the different types of kidney stone treatments.

Find Your Package