Introduction

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure (ESWL) or “kidney shock wave” procedure is one of the procedures used to treat kidney stones. It is the most non-invasive way of treating kidney and some ureteric stones.

 

What Is ESWL?

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure (ESWL) uses ultrasound waves externally to target kidney stones and some stones in the ureter. It may involve multiple sessions of about 45 minutes each to fragment the stones. Once the stones have been fragmented, the patient then passes the stones spontaneously.
ESWL is performed by a trained radiology technician under the supervision of a consultant urologist. It is performed as day-case procedure in an ESWL suite.

 

Who Is ESWL Suitable For?

ESWL is suitable for patients with small to mid-sized kidney stones and some ureteric stones.

How To Prepare For ESWL

There is no specific preparation required for ESWL. When used for fragmentation of larger stones, a JJ stent may need to be inserted under anesthetic prior to the procedure.

 

What Happens During The Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Procedure?

The ESWL procedure is as follows:

 

What To Expect After Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

It is common to experience the following after ESWL

 

Potential Side Effects Of ESWL

The risks of EWSL are as follows:

 

Alternatives To Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

The alternatives to ESWL are ureteroscopy and lasertripsy