Liver, gallbladder, ureter, and kidney stones can form when minerals and other substances cannot be adequately broken down by the body, causing them to crystallize and form solid masses. Most of the time, these stones are filtered naturally through urination. However, if the mass is large enough, it may not be able to pass. Large stones may result in pain and urine blockage, which can be dangerous and lead to organ damage. In this situation, a urology specialist may recommend lithotripsy to break up the stone and allow the small particles to pass. 

Urology Specialists’ Guide to Lithotripsy 

How to Prepare

Before the procedure, the urology specialist will run tests to determine the stones’ size, number, and location. Often, this involves using an intravenous pyelogram X-ray. A technician or doctor will inject dye into your vein, which travels through the bloodstream and marks the stones, making them appear as dark spots on the X-ray. 

As always, it is essential to let your doctor know before the procedure if you’re taking any medications. Certain medications, including painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin, may reduce your blood’s ability to clot, which could be dangerous in surgery. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking these medications for a few days prior. For the same reason, you’ll want to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours beforehand. Because the procedure involves general anesthesia, you may also need to fast for eight to 12 hours before surgery. 

What to Expect

On the day of your procedure, the medical team will administer general anesthesia to put you to sleep. This ensures you will not feel any pain or discomfort during surgery. There are two types of lithotripsy. The most common is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which involves sending shock waves through the body via a lithotripter to break up the stones, a technique similar to an ultrasound. The second is flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURSL), which involves inserting an endoscope to remove stones in the ureter using a laser. 

Recovery

With either type of treatment, you will most likely be able to go home the same day. Because of the anesthesia, you’ll need to wait for about two hours in recovery before being sent home. During this time, your urology specialist will ensure you are stable. When you get home, you can expect to pass the stone debris through your urine over the next couple of days. 

If you have gallbladder, ureter, liver, or kidney stones and live in the Guilford County area, turn to the urology specialists at Medical Center Urology for personalized care. Based in High Point, NC, they provide a range of services to treat conditions from kidney and gallbladder stones to infertility and incontinence. Call (336) 882-0220 to speak with a helpful team member and schedule an appointment. Or, visit the website to learn more about their services.