What is ESWL?

ESWL or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-energy shock waves to break down kidney stones into smaller fragments. It involves the use of a machine known as a lithotripter which produces the shock waves. These are focused by X-rays and pass through skin and tissue to reach the kidney stones and break them into small pieces. During the following few day’s, these fragments are passed from the body through urine.

How is ESWL performed?

Before ESWL is performed, the patient is given a mild sedative to make them comfortable. A computerised X-ray machine helps the doctor accurately locate the kidney stone. A lithotripter is then used to produce and direct shock waves toward the stone. The rate and power of the shock waves are adjusted based on the size and location of the kidney stone. Once the stone has been broken down to acceptable sizes, the shock waves are stopped and the patient is sent to the recovery room.

Who should undergo ESWL?

This procedure is suitable for people who have small kidney stones that are easily visible on X-rays. ESWL is recommended when medication and other treatment have not been successful. There are some cases where ESWL is not a good treatment option, such as:

• Pregnant ladies
• Patients who are on blood thinners
• Patients who have bleeding disorders and uncontrolled hypertension
• Patients whose kidney stones are made of cysteine or specific types of calcium
• Patients suffering from acute kidney infection
• Patients with scar tissue or obstructions in the ureter

In some cases, patients may have to undergo ESWL more than once or may need additional treatment following the procedure. Consult your doctor for more details on kidney stones and how they can be treated.