Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy also known as Laser surgery is minimally invasive procedure and it requires no incisions. It is useful to break the stones in kidney, gallbladder, or ureter. When medications do not help, a lithotripsy method can break the stones down into small pieces so they can pass out in the urine.

A small lighted instrument (ureteroscope) is placed into urethra and bladder to locate the location of stone in ureter and kidney. Once the position of stone is known, a laser light is allowed pass with the help of laser fiber to break up your kidney stones.

Then Urosurgeon removes some pieces through the urethra with a small basket, and smaller pieces can be passed later with urination. Sometimes surgeon uses a high-powered holmium laser with high-frequency emissions that break stones into a fine powder. These fine particles can be easily passed out through urine after surgery. The surgeon inserts stent between the kidney and urethra which promotes healing and allows stone pieces to pass more easily. The stent also allows your kidney to drain during the healing process. The stent is removed after 1 week.