Page 1 - Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Kidney Stones

Urological Health

Shock wave lithotripsy
for kidney stones

Shock wave lithotripsy is a non-surgical treatment to pulverize kidney stones so that the
fragments can pass more easily and with less pain.

hock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a non-surgical SWL generally is performed as an out-patient
Streatment in which high energy shock waves are procedure. Overnight hospital admission is rarely
used to pulverize a stone into smaller fragments which necessary.
can pass more easily and with less pain.
You may be advised to restrict your diet and fluid
A special machine is used to generate shock waves. consumption for several hours prior to your treatment.
X-rays or ultrasound are used to focus the shock Special instructions will be given for patients with
waves precisely on the stone. The shock waves pass diabetes.
harmlessly through body tissues until they hit the
kidney stone causing it to break up. The fragments Medications
can then flush out in the urine. This machine may not
be available at your local hospital. Most of your medications can be taken as usual. Bring
a list of current medications to your SWL appointment.
Limitations of shock wave lithotripsy If you are taking any blood thinners (including aspirin)

In some situations, SWL may not be possible or you must contact your doctor for special instructions.
effective. These include: Do not discontinue them without consulting with your
doctor. Shock wave lithotripsy cannot be performed if
• very large stones you have not stopped your blood thinners prior to your
• very hard stones (although this may not be treatment date.
apparent prior to treatment)
• patients who are very overweight, because shock Treatment
waves may not be able to reach the stone
• during pregnancy SWL may be cancelled if you have not made
arrangements to be taken home by a responsible
Other treatment options may be considered for these adult after your treatment.
patients.
Special precautions may be required for SWL in those
with cardiac pacemakers. If you have a pacemaker, SWL machine with shock waves
please advise the lithotripsy unit in advance. aimed at kidney stone
Some stones will require more than one SWL treatment
for complete clearance.
In some cases, a stent will need to be placed in the
ureter in advance and then subsequently removed
after SWL.

Before your treatment

Your urologist will determine whether your stone
problem can be treated with SWL depending on the
size, number, location and other characteristics of
the stone(s). Recent imaging, by X-ray, ultrasound
or CT scan, is necessary prior to your treatment.
Your imaging studies must be available for your SWL
appointment.
Urine and blood tests, as well as an electrocardiogram,
may be required. Urinary infection should be
controlled with antibiotics before SWL.
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