Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
What is ESWL?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive treatment for kidney stones. Focused shock waves are directed at the stone from outside the body, breaking it into smaller fragments that can then pass naturally in the urine. No incisions or instruments are inserted into the urinary tract.
Who may benefit?
ESWL is best suited for patients with:
Small to medium-sized kidney stones
Selected upper ureteric stones
Stones that are likely to pass once broken into smaller fragments
Not all stones are suitable for ESWL, and the best treatment depends on the stone's size, location and composition (hard stones may not break easily and previously infected stones are not recommended for treatment).
What happens during surgery?
ESWL is usually performed as a day procedure under a light general anaesthetic. Using X-ray and/or ultrasound guidance, shock waves are precisely focused on the stone to fragment it into small pieces.
Recovery
Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within 1 – 2 days. It is common to experience mild discomfort or blood in the urine as stone fragments pass over the following days to weeks.
Benefits
Completely non-invasive
No surgical incisions
Patients usually do not require a ureteric stent to be inserted
Day procedure which is usually very well tolerated with a rapid recovery
Very effective treatment for appropriately selected stones
Risks
Temporary blood in the urine
Pain as stone fragments pass
Bruising
Urinary tract infection
Incomplete stone clearance or blockage of the ureter by stone fragments which may require additional treatment (e.g. ureteroscopy & laserlithotripsy)
