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.
