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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]).
In rare cases when surgery is not possible, medication can be used to dissolve the stones or lithotripsy can be used to break them down. [7] In developed countries, 10–15% of adults experience gallstones. [4] Gallbladder and biliary-related diseases occurred in about 104 million people (1.6% of people) in 2013 and resulted in 106,000 deaths.
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 ]
Biliary colic, also known as symptomatic cholelithiasis, a gallbladder attack or gallstone attack, is when a colic (sudden pain) occurs due to a gallstone temporarily blocking the cystic duct. [1] Typically, the pain is in the right upper part of the abdomen, and can be severe. [2] Pain usually lasts from 15 minutes to a few hours. [1]
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. It is also reported to be used for salivary stones [4] and pancreatic stones. [5]
If the patient must have the gallbladder removed for gallstones, the surgeon may choose to proceed with the surgery, and obtain a cholangiogram during the surgery. If the cholangiogram shows a stone in the bile duct, the surgeon may attempt to treat the problem by flushing the stone into the intestine or retrieve the stone back through the ...
Urolithiasis (urinary bladder stones) Can progress to bladder outlet obstruction; Cholelithiasis (gallstones) Can predispose to cholecystitis (gall bladder infections) and ascending cholangitis (biliary tree infection) Can progress to choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile duct) and gallstone pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
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.