Pronounced: sis-TOE-litho-lay-pak-see
Cystolitholapaxy is a procedure to break up bladder stones into smaller pieces and remove them. Bladder stones are minerals that have built up in the bladder. Ultrasonic waves or lasers may be delivered through a tool called a cystoscope to break up the stones.
Bladder Stone
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Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a cystolitholapaxy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Your doctor may do the following:
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, including:
Other things to remember before the procedure:
This procedure can be done under local, spinal , or general anesthesia. It will block any pain. Sedation may also be used to ease anxiety.
With local anesthesia, a special jelly or fluid will be inserted into your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). This will numb the area. If you are having spinal anesthesia, it will be injected into your spine. General anesthesia will be given through an IV.
The doctor will place a tiny flexible probe, called a cystoscope, through your urethra toward the bladder. The probe has a camera for viewing. Imaging guidance, like ultrasound , will help the doctor locate the bladder stones. A saline solution may be flushed through the urinary tract. After a stone is located, the doctor will grab the stone and turn on the device to break it. To do this, different types of technology (eg, ultrasonic waves, lasers, or a mechanical device) can be used. A special basket or forceps will be used to grab the stone fragments and remove them.
The bladder and surrounding structures will be examined. The doctor may place a stent in your urethra to help protect the lining while the fragments pass or to repair damage.
Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be able to move around after the procedure. You may still have a catheter inside your urethra.
This is usually done in an outpatient setting. You will not need to stay overnight. The procedure takes 30-60 minutes (or longer) depending on the size of the stones.
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with pain after the procedure.
After the procedure, the hospital staff may provide the following care:
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
American Urological Association Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References:
Electrohydraulic lithotripsy. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated October 19, 2012. Accessed November 2, 2012.
Ho KL, Segura J. Lower Urinary Tract Calculi: Cystolitholapaxy. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 84.
Last reviewed October 2012 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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