Why is this procedure done?
The urinary tract is made up of the kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys make urine and it drains down into tubes called ureters. These ureters are connected to the bladder. The bladder then squeezes out the urine and it exits the body through the urethra. ‚
Sometimes, salts and minerals in your urine build up and form stones. The stones are hard and can get stuck on their way out of the body. Some stones are too large and block the flow of urine. Others cause bleeding and pain. They may harm the kidney. These stones need a procedure to break them up. ‚
Kidney stones may be broken up without cutting the skin. A special procedure called an electrohydraulic lithotripsy is used to break the stone down into tiny sand-like pieces. ‚
This procedure can also be used to remove stones in the belly or bile duct. ‚
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What will the results be?
The kidney stones will easily pass through the urinary tract and out of the body as very small sand-like pieces. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- CT or MRI scan
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- Your doctor will put a tiny flexible surgical tool through your urethra and up to your ureter. The doctor may use an ultrasound as a guide to find your kidney stone. After locating the stone, the doctor turns the tool on. It will break the stone into smaller pieces. Your doctor may put one more tool in to grab the stone pieces.
- Your doctor may put a small plastic tube, called a stent, inside your urethra. This stent will help big pieces of the kidney stones to pass through the urinary tract. This will help stop a block in your urinary tract.
- The procedure takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will stay in the Recovery Room for up to 2 hours after the lithotripsy. You may go home when you have fully recovered or when the doctor tells you.
- You may feel some stinging pain on your genitals after the lithotripsy. Your doctor will give you drugs for pain.
- If you have an I.V. line, your doctor may give more fluids to help flush out the pieces of kidney stone.
- Your doctor may give you drugs to help fight infection. Make sure that you take all of the drugs as ordered for you.
- Your doctor may ask you to get up and walk around before sending you home.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain or discomfort
- Prevent infection
- Relax smooth muscle in your ureter to help flush out stones
- Prevent kidney stones
What problems could happen?
- Pain while pieces of the kidney stone pass
- Blocked urine flow if stone pieces are too big to pass through
- Kidney injury
- High blood pressure
- Urinary tract infection
- Blood in urine
- Kidney stones may form again
Where can I learn more?
The Kidney Foundation of Canada ‚
http://www.kidney.ca/page.aspx?pid=328 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚