21/11/2018
Lithotripsy is an FDA approved treatment for breaking kidney stones caused by the accumulation of minerals in the kidney. Lithotripsy virtually replaced many traditional surgical procedures as it became more accepted as the treatment of choice for kidney stones during the 1980s. In the past, when a patient had kidney stones, surgery was performed to remove the stone or stones, and recovery took weeks. Now the procedure is over in a matter of hours and the patients usually returns home the same day and requires no hospitalization. The new procedure is non-invasive and results in less discomfort and a faster recovery period for the patient.
The Lithotripter works by concentrating shock waves on the stones, actually breaking them which substantially reduces the pain of passing the stone fragments.
There are several benefits to lithotripsy treatment over traditional surgery. They include:
- Cost benefits to the patient from less time lost from work
- Reduced recovery time
- Reduced post operative pain
- Lower risk of complications than traditional surgery
- Non-invasive
