Who is a candidate for lithotripsy?
Candidates are patients with large kidney stones (too large for ESWL, RIRS or combination RIRS/ESWL), with both stones and strictures in the kidney and certain kidney tumors. Children with similar conditions are also candidates.
When should you have lithotripsy?
Your doctor may recommend this procedure if: The stone is not passing on its own and is causing pain that will not go away. The stone is completely blocking the urine flow. You have only one working kidney, and your doctor worries that the stone is affecting how well the kidney works.
What is difference in lithotripsy and laser?
Compared to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, holmium laser lithotripsy has been shown to have higher success rates and decreased chance of steinstrasse (a complication of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in which fragments of the stones block the ureter).
Which is better lithotripsy or ureteroscopy?
The nature of the two procedures is very different. Shock wave lithotripsy is typically a completely noninvasive modality that may have success rates that are a little lower than ureteroscopy. Ureteroscopy is little more invasive, but for certain stones success rates may be higher than that of shock wave lithotripsy.
How long does laser lithotripsy take?
Lithotripsy uses shock waves or a laser to break down stones in the kidney, gallbladder, or ureters. There are two main types of lithotripsy — ESWL and FURSL — and the procedure usually lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
How long does it take to recover from laser lithotripsy?
Full recovery can take 1 to 2 weeks. Fatigue and discomfort are common but will fade during recovery. It may require minor changes to your daily routine.
Is laser lithotripsy safe?
Even though laser lithotripsy is considered safe, precautions should be taken to avoid harmful or even catastrophic adverse events to the patient or the operating room staff. Summary: The Ho:YAG laser remains the clinical gold standard for laser lithotripsy for over the last two decades.
