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Lithotripsy Treatment in Bhubaneswar

Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy Treatment in Bhubaneswar

Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure used to treat kidney stones that are too large to pass naturally through the urinary tract. This treatment uses focused ultrasonic energy or shock waves, guided by fluoroscopy (an X-ray film) or ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves), to break the stones into smaller fragments that can pass through the urinary system.

Introduced in the early 1980s, Lithotripsy revolutionised kidney stone treatment, allowing many patients to avoid invasive surgery. It remains the only non-invasive method for removing kidney stones, as it requires no incisions or internal devices.

A lithotripter generates shock waves directed at the kidney stone via X-ray. These waves travel through the body, breaking the stone into small pieces that are expelled through urine over several weeks. Over the past decades, extensive research has helped identify which patients are likely to benefit from Lithotripsy treatment in Bhubaneswar, based on factors like stone size and location. 

 

 

FAQ's

To prepare for a Lithotripsy procedure, consider the following steps:

  • Provide a complete list of all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant.
  • Follow your doctor's instructions on stopping blood thinners, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and warfarin, before the procedure.
  • Ask your doctor which medications you should take on the day of the procedure. If instructed, take any necessary medications with a small sip of water.
  • Refrain from eating and drinking for a few hours before the procedure as directed.
     

Lithotripsy is performed to break down kidney stones or stones in the urinary tract that are too large to pass naturally through the body. These stones can cause significant pain, infection, or blockage in the urinary tract. Lithotripsy uses shock waves to break the stones into smaller pieces, allowing them to be passed more easily through the urine. This non-invasive procedure is often chosen because it avoids the need for surgery and has a relatively quick recovery time.
 

The Lithotripsy operation usually takes 45 minutes to an hour, during which the patient is asked to take off any jewellery or accessories and change into a hospital gown. Depending on the required level of comfort, an intravenous (IV) line is placed into the arm to deliver sedation or anaesthesia. After that, the patient is placed in a water bath or on a special table that has a water cushion to help the body absorb shock waves. To guarantee exact targeting, high-energy shock waves produced by a lithotripter are directed towards the kidney stone(s) using imaging methods like fluoroscopy or ultrasound.

If the patient is conscious, the shock waves may cause them to feel slightly uncomfortable or if they are tapping them lightly. Breaking the stones into tiny pieces so they can more easily flow through the urinary tract is the aim of the shock waves. A ureteral stent, which is a tiny tube, may occasionally be inserted into the ureter during the surgery to facilitate the movement of stone particles and avoid blockage.

After the stones are sufficiently broken down, the procedure is concluded.
 

Though typically safe, risks with Lithotripsy can include bleeding around the kidney, necessitating a blood transfusion, kidney infection, and obstruction of the urine by fragments of stone that cause excruciating pain or damage to the kidneys that may require additional treatments. In addition, ulcers may develop in the stomach or small intestine, and stone pieces may still be present, requiring further therapies. Kidney function problems might potentially arise after the operation. Talk about these risks with your physician before having Lithotripsy.
 

The primary benefit is that Lithotripsy reduces problems, hospital stays, expenses, and recovery time by treating kidney stones in a large number of patients without surgery. Not all kidney stones, nevertheless, respond well to this course of therapy. Furthermore, stone fragments may occasionally stay in the body and need additional care.
 

Kidney stones can be of four primary types:

Calcium Stones

Calcium, essential for bones and muscles, is usually excreted in urine. Excess calcium can combine with waste products to form stones.

Struvite Stones

Composed of magnesium, phosphate, and ammonia, these stones may develop after a urinary tract infection.

Uric Acid Stones

These stones can form when urine is too acidic, which can occur in conditions like gout or malignancies.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones are made of cystine, a building block of muscles, nerves, and other body parts.

Following surgery, you'll be observed in the recovery room. Once stable, you'll be moved to your hospital room or discharged home. You can resume your usual diet and activities unless advised otherwise by your doctor. Drink extra fluids to ease the passage of stone fragments. Blood in your urine and bruising on your back or abdomen are normal. Take only recommended pain relievers to avoid increased bleeding risk. You may be prescribed antibiotics; take them as directed. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled, possibly to remove a stent if one is placed.
 

Following therapy, you can experience a few days of discomfort or soreness in your abdomen as well as blood in your urine. Some people feel excruciating cramps when broken pieces of stone exit their bodies. Reducing discomfort can be achieved by taking oral pain medication and drinking plenty of water. In certain cases, large fragments of the stone may remain after breaking, necessitating further treatment. More serious issues, including bleeding around the kidney that might necessitate a blood transfusion, stone fragments obstructing the urine's flow, or damage to the surrounding tissue, occasionally arise. 
 

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