Lithotripsy Surgery: Advantages and Disadvantages

Lithotripsy is one of the latest and effective ways to treat stones present in the kidneys, bladder, and ureter. Doctors just refer this process as lithotripsy where shock waves help to break the bigger stones into small fragments present in the kidney or bladder, So that the stones easily pass out with urine. The success rate of this procedure is around 80%.

Lithotripsy is also known as shock wave lithotripsy, laser lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, endoscopic lithotripsy, and percutaneous lithotripsy.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the most sought for and popular type of lithotripsy surgery procedure. These shock waves can break stones measuring from 2.5 mm to 4 mm.

The entire process lasts for about an hour and the patient can leave the hospital the same day itself. The kidney stones get flushed easily with the help of these shock waves where no incision or surgery is involved.

The process of this lithotripsy surgery is very simple. Mild anesthesia and the necessary antibiotics are administered to the patient before the surgery. Sound waves high in energy in the form of shock waves are given to the patient, which gives a hitting sensation to the patient.


The waves hit the stones breaking them into small pieces, which are excreted through the tube fitted to the kidney before the process along with the urine pass out.

Although the process is very simple without any knife or incision, it has its own demerits. Sometimes the broken bits of stones blocked the urinary tract obstructing the urine, which brings about kidney infection and sometimes damage the kidney. The patient also suffers from severe pain due to the blockage.

This may need another set of surgery to remove the obstruction. Some patients develop ulcers in the stomach or the intestine. Sometimes the obstruction is so severe that the patients start bleeding profusely around the kidney that they will need blood transfusion.

The cost of this lithotripsy amounts from $7000 to $12000, and some patients need two to three surgeries to get the kidney stones removed completely. So, it turns about to be a very expensive process.

This lithotripsy is not advisable for children as there is no guarantee for the safety of the tubes of kidney to remain intact. Several sessions of sound waves can destroy the tubes or can bring about long-term side effects.

There are many types of treatments available for the treatment of kidney stones. So, a patient suffering from kidney stones should consult a proper professional who can guide them in going for this lithotripsy surgery and how far it can be effective for them. The cost factor should also be taken into consideration due to the expensive treatment.

Thus taking into account the pros and cons of this lithotripsy surgery the patient is the best judge to decide whether to take in the treatment or not

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