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Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy (EHL) is a medical procedure which uses targeted shockwaves to break up kidney stones and gallstones. [1] This form of extracorporeal lithotripsy is unique in that the shockwaves are produced by a vaporization bubble expanding and collapsing repeatedly, creating a pressure wave. [ 1 ]
Lithotripsy is a procedure involving the physical destruction of hardened masses like kidney stones, [1] bezoars [2] or gallstones, which may be done non-invasively. The term is derived from the Greek words meaning "breaking (or pulverizing) stones" ( litho- + τρίψω [tripso]).
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive method to manage gallstones that uses high-energy sound waves to disintegrate them first applied in January 1985. [ 42 ] [ 43 ] Side effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy include biliary pancreatitis and liver haematoma. [ 44 ]
Some of the passed fragments of a 1-cm calcium oxalate stone that was smashed using lithotripsy. The most common use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is for lithotripsy to treat kidney stones [3] (urinary calculosis) and biliary calculi (stones in the gallbladder or in the liver) using an acoustic pulse.
Laser lithotripsy (LL) has been evaluated against Extracorporeal Shock Wave lithotripsy (ESWL), finding both to be safe and effective. [3] [4] ESWL may be safer for small stones (<10 mm), but less effective for 10–20 mm stones. [3] A 2013 meta-analysis found LL can treat larger stones (> 2 cm) with good stone-free and complication rates. [5]
Lithotomy differs from lithotripsy, where the stones are crushed either by a minimally invasive probe inserted through the exit canal, or by an acoustic pulse (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), which is a non-invasive procedure. Because of these less invasive procedures, the use of lithotomy has decreased significantly in the modern era.
In these procedures, a thin tube is introduced into the common bile duct to perform a cholangiogram. If stones are identified, the surgeon inserts a tube with an inflatable balloon to widen the duct, and the stones are usually removed using either a balloon or tiny basket.
Other procedures associated with ERCP include the trawling of the common bile duct with a basket or balloon to remove gallstones and the insertion of a plastic stent to assist the drainage of bile. [11] Also, the pancreatic duct can be cannulated and stents be inserted. The pancreatic duct requires visualisation in cases of pancreatitis.