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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]).
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.
The development of the Dornier lithotripter progressed through several prototypes, ultimately culminating in February 1980 with the first treatment of a human by shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The production and distribution of the Dornier HM3 lithotripter began in late 1983, and SWL was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1984. [26]
[8] [9] Gallstones are more common among women than men and occur more commonly after the age of 40. [2] Gallstones occur more frequently among certain ethnic groups than others. [2] For example, 48% of Native Americans experience gallstones, whereas gallstone rates in many parts of Africa are as low as 3%.
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]
They may also clear kidney stones in more adults than the standard shock wave lithotripsy procedure. The unwanted effects associated with alpha blockers are hospital emergency visits and return to hospital for stone-related issues, but these effects were more common in adults who did not receive alpha-blockers as a part of their treatment. [113]
This is often utilized to break up calculi such as kidney stones and gallstones into pieces small enough to be passed from the body without undue difficulty, a procedure known as lithotripsy. The success of lithotripsy depends on the size and location of the stone, and the patient's age. [10] Oncology