ABOUT Lithotripsy Treatment - Maximed Turkey
Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy is a technique used to fragment stones that
have been identified as being too large to pass through the urinary tract. The
first step in lithotripsy is to convert the stone into small pieces that are
easier for the body to expel.
This procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis
using fluoroscopy, or it can be done using radiographic guidance (X-rays) with
a catheter inserted through the urethra and advanced toward the bladder.
The risk of complications depends largely on whether or
not lithotripsy is performed on an outpatient basis or under radiographic
guidance.
The most common complications of outpatient procedures
include bleeding (hematoma) and urethral injury or erosion. Alternatively,
complications of radiographic guidance include bladder, kidney, ureteral, and
sphincter injuries.
Lithotripsy technology was invented in Germany in 1943
by Dr. Horst Hauschild to reduce the size of large stones that were otherwise
difficult to dissolve with surgery or dissolve with shockwave lithotripsy.
Before lithotripsy's invention, surgery was the only
option for removing stones that were too large for the body to expel.
Lithotripsy has since become a routine treatment for patients who experience
symptoms due to stone formation in their urinary tract.
Lithotripsy treatment is based on the size and number
of stones. Success rates range from 50% to 99%, with higher success rates
occurring in patients with small, single stones.
However, these success rates are often much lower when
radiographic guidance is needed to complete the procedure. Pain medication is
often required following lithotripsy treatments, and these medications can
cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting or altered mental status in some
patients.
Lithotripsy has been used to treat kidney stones since
the 1970s, and it has also been used for other urinary stone types such as
ureteral stones and bladder stones in approximately 50% of cases since the
1980s.
How Much Does It Cost?
Lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment in which the
stone fragmenting device is placed against or near the patient's stone. The
device makes contact with the stone and then emits shockwaves, which cause the
stone to break up into small fragments in a process known as disintegration.
A fragmentation catheter can also be used in some cases
where the fragments need to be delivered outside of the body sooner than if
they were broken up by lithotripsy alone. The cost of a lithotripsy procedure
may vary depending on the situation, but it is usually between $500 and $5,000.
After Procedure
After the procedure, the patient is usually referred to
a urologist for follow-up. To prevent a recurrence, patients are often advised
to avoid extended sitting and other activities that make them prone to passing
stones. If stone fragments remain in the urinary tract following treatment,
patients may be referred to a urologist for an endoscopy for further evaluation
and treatment options.
How Effective Is It?
Lithotripsy has become the preferred method of treating
kidney stones since it offers a higher success rate than surgery and
lithotripsy alone has slightly higher success rates than shockwave lithotripsy
alone.
The success rates of lithotripsy and shockwave
lithotripsy alone range from 44% to 95%. For patients who use either treatment,
the success rate is between 70% and 100%.
What Is The History Of Lithotripsy?
Lithotripsy has been used to treat kidney stones since
the 1970s. It was not until the late 1980s that lithotripsy became a commonly
recommended treatment for small kidney stones.
The first known urologist to suggest the use of
lithotripsy for treating kidney stones was Dr. Ronald DePompeo in 1986. Since
then, lithotripsy has become a routine treatment for patients with kidney
stones that cannot be treated through any other means.
Frequently Asked Questions on Lithotripsy
What is Shockwave Lithotripsy?
Shockwave lithotripsy is one form of lithotripsy
technology that is often used to treat patients with large stones that are
otherwise difficult to dissolve.
The procedure requires placing a catheter into the
urethra via the patient's urinary tract. This catheter is then directed toward
the stone, and shockwaves emitted by the device cause it to break apart into
smaller fragments.
What are some Advantages of Shockwave Lithotripsy?
Several advantages make it desirable for patients with
kidney stones. One advantage is that it can be performed on an outpatient
basis, allowing for quicker pain relief.
