Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive technique using high-energy and low-frequency shock waves externally sent through the skin to target kidney stones or other urinary tract stones to break them down into minute fragments until they can pass through urination and it may take days to weeks after the procedure to completely get rid of stones. This procedure is conducted with anesthesia or regional anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
It gives patients a very short hospital stay and a quick recovery. Besides, it is a one-day surgery procedure that takes less than an hour and doesn't require anesthesia. However, this ESWL is not suitable for all types or locations of stones. For example, stones in the bile ducts or pancreatic ducts may require additional removal with an endoscope.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) has many benefits, including:
- Non-invasive: ESWL is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require incisions or general anesthesia.
- Quick treatment time: ESWL can be performed in 60–90 minutes, sometimes longer depending on the size and number of stones, and patients can usually return home and carry out their normal activities within a few days after the procedure.
- Safety: This procedure is safe and can be used to treat patients of all ages
- No hospital stay: It approximately takes 1 or 2 hours on the basis of the sizes and numbers of the stones to complete the procedure and patients can return home within that day.
- No anesthesia required: This procedure does not require anesthesia, but only uses analgesic (painkilling) drugs, because there are no incisions made.
- High success rate: ESWL is effective for treating kidney stones, and most patients experience complete stone clearance after a single treatment.
- Fewer complications: ESWL has fewer complications than surgical procedures, reducing the risk of infection, bleeding, and other complications.
- Minimal discomfort: Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, and any discomfort can be managed with pain medication.
After the procedure
- Most patients may experience some discomfort for a day or two, especially around the waist, but this can be managed by taking analgesics/painkillers.
- Urination can cause a visible reddish color in the urine for a few days to a few weeks.
- There may be small stone/sand fragments released when urinating so that the urine is slightly gritty or cloudy.
- There might be some light bleeding or hematoma around the kidney that can be properly treated with rest, but this condition is quite hardly.
Exceptions
ESWL uses shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller pieces so they can pass down the ureter and out the bladder. However, ESWL is not recommended for everyone, including:
- Pregnant women
- Patients with infected kidney stones
- Patients who are obese or have a condition that increases the risk of bleeding
- Patients with extremely large or hard kidney stones
Including
- Specialists, outpatient, nursing, and all hospital conduction service fees.
- All during-procedure medical supplies and equipment.
- Local Anesthesia and required medication.
Excluding
- Pre-checkup before the biopsy, underlying diseases, complications, and take-home medications & medical supplies
Terms and Conditions
- BPK9 International Hospital specifies the terms and conditions, changes might be made without prior notice.
- This package is valid until 31 December 2025.
- For more information and advance appointments, please contact BPK9 hotline 1745 Ext. BPK9 General Surgery Center.
