Q: What is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy?
A: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a procedure that does not involve any invasive maneuver on the patient, but rather the patient only has to lie down on their side on a machine with a water-filled cushion inside. The shock waves generated by the lithotripter pass through the human body by conveying all energy on the kidney stones, in turn shattering them. The duration of treatment is rather short (generally no more than 45-60 minutes). This therapy does not involve any anesthesia; the patient may feel a sensation of temporary discomfort upon application of the therapy. Despite being the least invasive method available to us, it should not be considered harmless but rather its use over and over again in case of treatment may result in complications. In fact, even though it is very low in percentages, the energy that is released during the treatment may result in short term renal hematomas and in long term arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
