ESWL
ESWL
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical method of removing urinary tract stones.
In Slovenia, the procedure has been performed in UKC Ljubljana since 1988, and in diagnostic centre Diagnostični center Bled since 1992.
The urinary tract stones are broken into fragments with the help of shock waves, while the patient is sedated and receiving analgesic therapy. The process takes approximately one hour and is virtually painless. During the procedure, the doctor performing the procedure stays at patient’s side and monitors the process of fragmentation with ultrasound. In the event that a stone is located out of the ultrasound reach, (typically in the urethra), the control is provided by X-ray. The number of ESWL fragmented urinary tract stones depends on the hardness and the location of the stone. After the procedure, the stone fragments may pass over a period of a few hours to several weeks.
Basic information about the examination