How does lithotripsy work

A pair of purplish-brown organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. Their function is to: Remove liquid waste from the blood in the form of urine Keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood Produce erythropoietin, a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells Regulate blood pressure The kidneys remove urea from the blood through tiny filtering units called nephrons.

Two ureters. Narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Muscles in the ureter walls continually tighten and relax forcing urine downward, away from the kidneys. If urine backs up, or is allowed to stand still, a kidney infection can develop. About every 10 to 15 seconds, small amounts of urine are emptied into the bladder from the ureters. A triangle-shaped, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen.

It is held in place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. The bladder's walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to empty urine through the urethra. The typical healthy adult bladder can store up to two cups of urine for two to five hours. Two sphincter muscles.

Circular muscles that help keep urine from leaking by closing tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder Nerves in the bladder. These alert a person when it is time to urinate, or empty the bladder Urethra. The tube that allows urine to pass outside the body. The brain signals the bladder muscles to tighten, which squeezes urine out of the bladder. At the same time, the brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax to let urine exit the bladder through the urethra.

When all the signals occur in the correct order, normal urination occurs. Reasons for the procedure The primary advantage of lithotripsy is that it is completely non-invasive. There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend lithotripsy. Risks of the procedure You may want to ask your doctor about the amount of radiation used during the procedure and the risks related to your particular situation.

Complications of lithotripsy may include, but are not limited to, the following: Bleeding around the kidney Infection Obstruction of the urinary tract by stone fragments Stone fragments left that may require more lithotripsies Contraindications for lithotripsy include, but are not limited to, the following: Pregnant patients Patients on "blood thinners" or patients with bleeding disorders.

Aspirin or other blood thinners must be discontinued for at least 1 week prior to lithotripsy. Patients with chronic kidney infection, as some fragments may not pass, so the bacteria will not be completely eliminated from the kidney.

Patients with obstruction or scar tissue in the ureter, which may prevent stone fragments from passing. Patients with stones composed of cystine and certain types of calcium, as these stones do not fragment well with lithotripsy Patients with cardiac pacemakers should notify their doctor.

Before the procedure Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and offer you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure.

Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. In addition to a complete medical history, your doctor may perform a complete physical examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure.

You may undergo blood tests or other diagnostic tests. Fasting before the procedure may be indicated, depending on the type of anesthetic or sedation used. You will be given instructions on how many hours to fast before the procedure if necessary. If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your health care provider. Notify your doctor if you are sensitive to or allergic to any medications, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents local and general.

Notify your doctor of all medications prescription and over-the-counter and herbal supplements that you are taking. This will help your kidneys flush out any remaining stone fragments. You may experience internal bleeding and need a blood transfusion. You can develop infection and even kidney damage when a stone fragment blocks the flow of urine out of your kidneys. The procedure can damage your kidneys, and they may not work as well after the procedure.

Possible serious complications may include high blood pressure or kidney failure. The outlook is generally good for people with kidney stones. Recovery may vary depending on the number and size of the stones, but lithotripsy can usually remove them completely.

In some cases, additional treatments may be needed. Read more: Kidney health and kidney disease basics ». The most common home remedies for kidney stones involve drinking different fluids, including just water, to help flush your stones out and prevent new…. There's no one sure way to prevent kidney stones, especially if you have a family history of the condition.

Here's how diet and medications may help. Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are masses made of crystals. Learn more about causes and symptoms here.

A low-purine diet is helpful if you've recently been diagnosed with gout, kidney stones, or a digestive disorder. It can also help prevent such a…. Discover the link between type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the leading cause for kidney failure in the United States. Lithotripsy is used to remove kidney stones that are causing: Bleeding Damage to your kidney Pain Urinary tract infections Not all kidney stones can be removed using lithotripsy. The stone may also be removed with: A tube endoscope inserted into the kidney through a small surgical cut in the back.

A small lighted tube ureteroscope inserted through the bladder into ureters. Ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Open surgery rarely needed. Talk to your health care provider about possible complications such as: Bleeding around your kidney, which may require you to get a blood transfusion.

Kidney infection. Pieces of the stone block urine flow from your kidney this may cause severe pain or damage to your kidney. If this happens, you may need additional procedures.

Pieces of stone are left in your body you may need more treatments. Ulcers in your stomach or small intestine. Problems with kidney function after the procedure. Before the Procedure. Always tell your provider: If you are or could be pregnant What drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription During the days before the surgery: You will be asked to stop taking blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , warfarin Coumadin , and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.

Ask your provider when to stop taking them. Treatment is available at many hospitals, outpatient centers and sometimes even in mobile units. For information about where to have lithotripsy done in your area, contact your doctor, local hospital or health care facility. Kidney stones affect more than one million Americans each year. People who have had more than one kidney stone are likely to form another.

To determine the possible cause of stones, the patient may be asked to collect a hour urine sample. Once the cause is found, the doctor may recommend drinking more liquids, dietary changes and medication. If you would like more information, please contact us. All rights reserved. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.

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