What is ESWL?
When is ESWL performed?
ESWL is suitable for almost all stone conditions. First and foremost, it is used to treat stones of the urinary tract, i.e. kidney, ureter and bladder stones. Stones of the pancreas (pancreatic stones) can also be disintegrated with ESWL. Rarely is extracorporeal shock wave therapy used for gallstones, as the stones often recur after treatment.
ESWL, on the other hand, must not be performed in:
- Blood clotting disorders
- Pregnancy
- Urinary tract infections
- obstruction of the urinary tract behind the stone
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- untreated hypertension
What is done during ESWL?
Stones of the urinary tract: ureteral and renal stone disintegration.
Urine is produced in the kidneys and drained into the urinary bladder via the two ureters. From there, urine is excreted through the urethra. The ureters, urinary bladder and urethra are also grouped together under the term “draining urinary tract”. If stones form in this system, the doctor can perform ESWL.
In the case of larger urinary stones, the doctor places a splint (double J catheter, pigtail catheter) in the ureter so that the stone can be safely excreted with the urine.
Stones of the pancreas and bile ducts
ERCP complications are rare, sometimes inflammation of the pancreas and bile ducts occurs. In addition, the tube can injure the intestinal mucosa and cause bleeding. Before the ERCP examination, the patient should fast for at least six hours.
After ESWL
What are the risks of ESWL?
The following risks are associated with ESWL, although serious problems rarely occur with extracorporeal shock wave therapy:
- Pain caused by the shock waves
- Cardiac arrhythmias during ESWL
- Increase in blood pressure (hypertension)
- bruising in the kidney
- Resize of the stone pieces before excretion
- Colic during the elimination of the stones
What do I need to keep in mind after an ESWL?
The success of an ESWL can only be seen after six to twelve weeks during ultrasound or X-ray control.
After urinary stones (ureteral , urinary bladder and kidney stone disintegration).
After a urinary stone ESWL, you should drink enough (water, juice, tea) and get plenty of exercise. In this way, you will help to flush out the stone fragments with the urine.
Stones of the gallbladder and bile ducts – litholysis.
After ESWL, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help dissolve the fragments (litholysis). In this process, you will receive ursodeoxycholic acid, a natural bile acid in tablet form, which you should take until the stone fragments dissolve.
