Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is one of many methods to treat kidney stones or bile stones. It uses an electrohydraulic device with a flexible probe to deliver electricity that breaks apart the stones.
Kidney Stone
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Lithotripsy is used to remove kidney stones that:
This procedure can also be used to remove stones in the bile duct or the pancreatic duct.
Gallstones
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Before the procedure, your doctor may do the following:
Other things to remember before the procedure:
Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure. These medications may include:
General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep during the procedure. You will not feel any pain.
Your doctor will place a tiny flexible probe through your urethra and up the ureter toward the stone. The probe has two electrodes at the end. Images will help the doctor locate the stone. After the stone is located, the doctor will use the device. An electrical spark will break the stone. A special basket or forceps may be used to grab the stone fragments and remove them. The stone fragments may be allowed to pass in the urine.
Depending on the size of the stone, more than one probe may be used. A stent may be placed in the ureter. It will help protect the lining while the stone fragments pass or damage is being repaired.
There may be fragments that are too large to pass after the procedure. These can be treated again with lithotripsy.
30-60 minutes depending on the size and location of the stone
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. There may be some pain and discomfort afterward as the broken stones pass. Ask your doctor about medication to help with the pain.
This procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting. In most cases, there will be no hospital stay.
Follow your doctor's instructions, which may include:
Call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
If you think you have 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://www.niddk.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org
Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ca
References:
Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/cystoscopy/. Updated March 28, 2012. Accessed May 22, 2013.
Gallstones. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated April 10, 2013. Accessed May 22, 2013.
Kidney stones in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/. Updated January 28, 2013. Accessed May 22, 2013.
Nephrolithiasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 17, 2013. Accessed May 22, 2013.
Ureteroscopy. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_Ureteroscopy.cfm. Accessed May 22, 2013.
Last reviewed May 2013 by Adrienne Carmack, MD; Brian Randall, 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.
Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
