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Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by
Lithotripsy is a medical treatment for kidney stones that’s non-invasive. But there are worries about its effect on kidney health. This method, shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), breaks stones into smaller pieces for easy passage.
Even though it works well, new studies show it might harm the kidneys in the short and long term. So, it’s key for patients to know the risks of this treatment.
Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a common treatment for kidney stones. It uses high-energy pulses to break stones. This method is less painful than old surgeries.
The ESWL procedure uses a machine outside the body to create shock waves. These waves hit the stone, breaking it into small pieces. These pieces then pass through the urine.
The whole process takes about an hour. It’s done while the patient is under sedation or anesthesia to reduce pain.
The patient lies on a special table. The machine is set to hit the stone just right. Shock waves are sent in a controlled way to avoid harming nearby tissue.
University studies show SWL can hurt kidney tissue. The shock waves are good at breaking stones, but can also damage the kidneys. This can lead to:
It’s important for patients and doctors to know these risks. This helps make better choices about using lithotripsy for kidney stones.
Lithotripsy for kidney stones can cause immediate damage to blood vessels in the kidneys. This happens because of the shock waves used in the procedure. These waves can harm the kidney tissue.
The shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) method is good at breaking down kidney stones. But it can also lead to problems like acute hemorrhage and bleeding. Almost all patients who get SWL for kidney stones will have blood in their urine after getting about 200 shock waves. This shows the damage to blood vessels from the shock waves.
Acute hemorrhage is a big risk with lithotripsy. The shock waves can hurt the blood vessels in the kidney, causing bleeding. This can be mild or severe and sometimes needs medical help.
The severity of bleeding can differ from person to person. The size and location of the stone, and the patient’s health and kidney function, play a role.
Hematoma formation is another issue with lithotripsy. Studies show that 1-20% of patients get a hematoma after the procedure, saas seen on MRI. A hematoma is a blood collection outside of blood vessels, caused by shockwave damage to the kidney.
This risk shows why it’s important to carefully choose patients for lithotripsy and watch them closely after. Those with kidney problems or other risks need extra care to avoid complications.
In summary, lithotripsy is a good way to treat kidney stones, but it can cause immediate damage to blood vessels. Knowing these risks helps manage what patients can expect and how they might respond
Lithotripsy, a treatment for kidney stones, has raised concerns about severe kidney problems. It’s a safe and effective method, but it comes with risks. The treatment uses shock waves to break stones into smaller pieces for easy passage.
One major risk is irreversible acute renal failure. Studies have shown that some patients suffer significant kidney damage. Irreversible acute renal failure can greatly affect a patient’s health and quality of life.
“The use of shock wave lithotripsy has been associated with a range of complications, including renal damage and failure,” notes a study on the risks associated with lithotripsy.
“Severe complications, including irreversible acute renal failure, have been reported in patients undergoing lithotripsy for kidney stones.”
Patients also face infection risks after lithotripsy. These infections can be mild or severe and may need extra treatment. Post-procedure infection risks are a big worry for doctors, who must watch for infection signs.
The risks of severe kidney problems and infections show the importance of careful patient care. Doctors must consider the benefits and risks of lithotripsy. They should also think about other treatments for high-risk patients.
Lithotripsy is good for treating kidney stones, but it might harm your kidneys in the long run. Studies show that Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) can cause chronic problems and change how your kidneys work.
Many studies link SWL to new-onset hypertension. The shock waves might damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, raising your blood pressure.
A study in the Journal of Urology found that SWL patients were more likely to develop hypertension. This shows we need to watch blood pressure closely after lithotripsy.
Key findings include:
Research suggests a link between lithotripsy and diabetes, but the evidence is not strong. It’s thought that the shock waves might harm the pancreas or change your metabolism, leading to diabetes.
More studies are needed to confirm this link. But it’s important for patients and doctors to know about these risks. People with a family history of diabetes or other risk factors should be watched closely.
Lithotripsy can damage your kidneys right away, such as causing bleeding and scarring. In some cases, this damage can last forever. The extent of the damage depends on how many shock waves are used and their energy level.
Long-term scarring and changes can seriously affect your health. They might lead to chronic kidney disease or lower kidney function. So, it’s important to think about the benefits and risks of lithotripsy carefully.
Lithotripsy is a common treatment for kidney stones, but it has a higher failure rate than some other methods. It’s used for up to 70% of uncomplicated upper tract stone cases. Yet, its success rates are lower, and stone recurrence rates are higher than those of more invasive treatments.
A study found that 23.6% of patients who had Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) needed repeat procedures within 120 days. This is a high rate compared to other treatments.
The need for repeat procedures is a key factor in judging lithotripsy’s success. With nearly a quarter of patients needing more treatment in a short time, SWL’s long-term success is questioned.
Lithotripsy and ureteroscopy are two common treatments for kidney stones. Ureteroscopy has a retreatment rate of 19%, which is lower than SWL. This shows that different treatments have varying success rates for kidney stones.
The data show lithotripsy is a widely used treatment, but it has a higher retreatment rate than ureteroscopy. This may affect its overall effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Knowing these differences is important for making informed decisions about treating kidney stones.
Patients with kidney problems face higher risks with lithotripsy. It’s important to think about these risks and benefits before starting treatment.
Lithotripsy uses shock waves to break up stones. But it can harm kidney tissue. For those with kidney disease, this risk is even higher. It can make kidney problems worse.
Kidneys with damage are more at risk during lithotripsy. They can suffer from bleeding, swelling, and other serious issues. This is because they are more sensitive to the shock waves.
Age also plays a role in these risks. Older patients, who often have kidney problems, are more likely to face complications. This is because their kidneys are more vulnerable to damage.
Choosing the right patients for lithotripsy is key when they have kidney issues. Doctors must balance the benefits against the risks. They need to look at the severity of the kidney disease and the patient’s overall health.
For some, other treatments might be better. For example, ureteroscopy could be a safer option. It’s important to discuss all the options and risks with the patient to make the best choice.
Lithotripsy is a common treatment for kidney stones. It breaks down stones without surgery. B ititt can lead to long-term health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Healthcare places like Liv Hospital aim to reduce these risks. They follow the latest medical guidelines and focus on quality care. Choosing the right patients and sticking to current medical standards helps lower the risks of lithotripsy.
When deciding on lithotripsy, it’s important to think about your kidney health and possible complications. This helps both patients and doctors make the best choice for treatment.
Lithotripsy is a non-invasive medical procedure. It uses shock waves to break up kidney stones. These stones then become small enough to pass out of the body.
SWL uses high-energy shock waves. These waves fragment kidney stones. This makes it easier for them to pass through the urinary tract.
Lithotripsy can cause several risks. These include vascular trauma, acute hemorrhage, and scarring. It may also affect kidney health long-term, leading to hypertension and diabetes.
Yes, lithotripsy can damage the kidneys. It can cause vascular trauma, acute hemorrhage, and scarring. These issues may lead to long-term changes in kidney function.
Complications after lithotripsy are common. Acute hemorrhage and hematoma formation happen in many patients. Hematoma formation is seen in 1-20% of cases.
Yes, there are other treatments. Ureteroscopy is one option. It has a lower rate of needing to be done again compared to lithotripsy.
Lithotripsy may be riskier for those with kidney problems. It’s important to carefully choose patients to minimize these risks.
The long-term effects of lithotripsy can be serious. They may include hypertension and a link to diabetes. Permanent scarring and changes in kidney function are also possible.
Lithotripsy is less effective than some other treatments. For example, 23.6% of patients need to have it done again within 120 days.
The ESWL procedure is a type of lithotripsy. It uses shock waves to break up kidney stones.
Shock wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive treatment. It uses high-energy shock waves to break up kidney stones. This makes it easier for them to pass through the urinary tract.
