Extracorporeal Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment that consists in the fragmentation of lithiasis through the application of externally generated shock waves, that is to say, outside the body. The impact of this energy on the stone allows it to disintegrate and thus to eliminate the fragments converted into gravel through the urine.

Benefits

  • Extracorporeal lithotripsy is an outpatient treatment.
  • There are no age limits for its application.
  • It can be used in most cases of urinary tract stones.
  • It does not require anesthesia.
  • It is a highly effective non-invasive procedure.
  • Avoids surgical scarring.
  • Minimal risk of complications.
  • Lower risk of infection.
  • Recovery time is reduced to hours.
  • Does not allow you to lower your work capacity by having a quick return to work.

What are shock waves in extracorporeal lithotripsy?

Extracorporeal lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment, which lasts approximately 45 minutes. The patient will be lying on a stretcher and the urologist will place the equipment in such a way that the emission of shock waves is directed to break up the stone or stones in the urinary tract. The impact of the energy hitting the calculus, generates that it fragments and becomes grit, so that they are eliminated through the urine.

What are the advantages of this type of treatment?

  • Allows the treatment of urinary calculi without surgery. These stones must be less than 2 cm in size.
  • The treatment is ambulatory.
  • With good equipment it is not necessary to use anesthesia.
  • It can be performed in patients with cardiac pathology.

Extracorporeal Lithotripsy