Kidney Stone Doctor Talks About ESWL

What is ESWL?

ESWL is a technique in which pressure waves generated outside the body are passed into the body to break stones into small fragments, similar to sand grains. It is an entirely non-invasive treatment method. Once the stone has been broken up into small fragments, they will pass out in the urine stream over time, says a kidney stone doctor in Kolkata.

 

How is this treatment administered?

The patient is first assessed for the location, size and number of urinary stones. Other tests will evaluate kidney function, as once the stone has been powdered, the kidney must be able to push out the fragments. 

Tests are also performed to evaluate any other associated medical conditions that may prevent this treatment from being used. After that, the patient is placed on the OT table. A water balloon is placed in contact with the body on the side of the stone to be treated, inside which pressure waves are generated. The stone is localized and focused using x-ray imaging (fluoroscopy). 

Pressure waves are then generated and focused on the stones at a rate of about one per second. The stone will be fragmented as a result of these pressure waves. The time required for this depends on the size, location and number of stones to be treated. In general, the time limit is 45 minutes, say a specialist of kidney stone surgery in Kolkata.

What are the benefits of ESWL?

The main benefit is that no open surgery is required. Apart from minor discomfort, there is no severe pain, and thus the need for anaesthesia is also minimal. Most of the time, no hospital stay is required, so the patient can return to work the next day.

Are there any complications of this procedure?

This procedure has no known long-term complications. Side effects such as discomfort during the procedure may be present occasionally. Localized redness over the abdomen or back may be present, but it will go away in a few days. After treatment, all patients will experience some urine bleeding. The passage of the fragments down the urinary tube can cause pain, which painkillers can treat, says the doctor of ESWL treatment in Kolkata.

What Are the Different Types of Kidney Stone Surgery?

Introduction

Kidney stones are hardened deposits of minerals such as calcium or waste products such as uric acid. The minerals can gradually accumulate over time and grow bigger if kept untreated.

Some stones can pass out of the body on their own through urine; however, other larger stones require surgery. Big stones can get stuck in the urinary tract causing pain.

 

 

 

When Should I Go for Kidney Stone Surgery?

According to urologists, a person should go for kidney stone surgery in Kolkata in the following situations:

· The stone fails to leave the body through the urinary tract due to its bigger size

· There is severe pain in the side and back of the body, below the ribs. The pain radiates to the lower abdomen and groin area.

· The stone is restricting the urine flow, causing discomfort.

· In case of urinary tract infections in the past due to the stone.

Types of Kidney Stone Surgeries

 

There are several surgical treatments available to treat kidney stones. These treatments depend on the type of kidney stone, the severity of the issue, and the patient's health condition.

The four primary surgical procedures used for kidney surgery in Kolkata are: 

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure and is the most common kidney stone surgery in Kolkata. Non-invasive surgery means that no cuts are made in your body's skin. As the name suggests, the procedure involves using high-energy shock waves to break the stones into smaller pieces inside the kidney.

 

If large pieces remain inside, then another treatment can be performed. The method works best for those patients who have small or medium-sized stones (smaller than 2 cm in diameter). The treatment might not be effective in case of larger stones.

Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy is a common kidney stone surgery in Kolkata to treat stones in the ureter, especially for stones close to the bladder, in the lower half of the ureter. No cuts are made in your skin during this treatment.

 

 A surgeon, during the procedure, passes a small telescope, called a ureteroscope, through the urethra and bladder to the area where the stone is located in the ureter. This is the point where the surgery is conducted. The procedure lasts for about one to three hours and the surgery is performed under general anesthesia. 

If the kidney stone is small, it can be easily removed from the ureter. However, in the case of large stones, a laser is used to break the stones into tiny pieces before removing them.

Ureteroscopy is a good option for patients with large stones and those with a history of urinary tract reconstruction.

 

 

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy or Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy

This kidney stone surgery in Kolkata is minimally invasive. It is a good treatment option for patients who have large and irregular-shaped kidney stones (bigger than 2 cm in diameter) or for whom the procedures mentioned above prove to be unsuccessful or not possible.

 The method involves the insertion of a scope through a small incision made in your back to reach the kidney. Once the surgeon gets to the kidney, a miniature fiberoptic camera and other small surgical instruments are threaded in through the incision.

 

If the stone is removed from the kidney through the medium of the tube, it is called nephrolithotomy. However, if the stone is broken up into small pieces using high-frequency waves before removing, it is called nephrolithotripsy. The broken pieces of the stones are removed using a suction machine. 

Open Surgery

Open kidney stone surgery is rarely used. This surgery is helpful in the following situations:

·        Stones get stuck in the ureter

·        One is facing severe pain

·        The stone blocks the passage of urine

·        One is having an infection or bleeding

 The procedure demands an extended hospital stay and 4 to 6 weeks of recovery.

 

 If you suffer from kidney stone symptoms, consult a urologist in Kolkata to understand the whole situation and discuss the best treatment option for you.