ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) is a non-invasive treatment method that breaks up kidney and ureteral stones without a surgical incision using high-intensity shock waves sent from outside the body.
It is one of the most commonly used stone treatment options in urology and offers high success and comfort, especially in suitable patients.
How Does ESWL Work?
The shock waves produced by the ESWL device:
- Are transmitted into the body through the skin
- Concentrate energy by focusing on the stone
- Break the stone into small pieces
- The pieces are passed naturally through the urine
The aim is to break the stone “without surgery” and make it passable from the body.
Areas of Use
1. Kidney stones
- Stones of a suitable size inside the kidney
- Stones of medium hardness
2. Upper ureteral stones
- Ureteral stones close to the kidney
- Stones that partially block urine flow
3. Use according to stone characteristics
- Stones of a certain size (usually small to medium)
- Stones of low and medium density
- A suitable anatomical location
Who Is ESWL Suitable For?
ESWL is not suitable for every patient. The best results are obtained in the following situations:
- Kidney stones smaller than 1
to 2 cm - Stones of low or medium hardness
- Patients without urinary tract obstruction
- Patients with good kidney function
Who Is ESWL Not Suitable For?
- Very large stones
- Very hard stones (some calcium oxalate monohydrate stones)
- Pregnancy
- Active infection
- Patients with a bleeding disorder
Advantages of ESWL
1. A method without surgery
- No incision
- No stitches
2. Short procedure time
- Usually 30
to 60 minutes
3. Fast return to daily life
- Same-day discharge
4. Repeatable
- More than one session can be applied if necessary
5. Low complication risk
- It is a minimally invasive method
Possible Side Effects
ESWL is generally safe, but the following may occur:
- Mild kidney pain
- Blood in the urine
- Colic pain due to the passing of stone fragments
- Rarely, infection
- Temporary urinary tract obstruction
.
The Post-ESWL Process
- The patient is usually discharged the same day
- Drinking plenty of water is recommended
- The passing of stone fragments can take a few days
to weeks - A painkiller can be given if necessary
- Follow-up imaging is performed
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ESWL be applied to everyone?
No. The size, hardness and location of the stone must be suitable.
Is ESWL painful?
There may be mild discomfort during the procedure, which is at a tolerable level in most patients.
Does the stone disappear completely?
The stone is broken up, and the fragments are passed out with the urine.
How many sessions are needed?
Depending on the structure of the stone, 1 to 3 sessions may be needed.
What is the success rate?
It is quite high in suitable patients, but it varies according to the characteristics of the stone.
Clinical Summary
ESWL is a safe and comfortable treatment method that breaks up kidney and upper ureteral stones without surgery. With appropriate patient selection, it offers a high success rate and is one of the most commonly used minimally invasive stone treatments in urology.
