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What is ESWL (commonly called Lithotripsy)?
The complete term is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (E.S.W.L.),
which means Lithotripsy from outer core of the body i.e., through
skin. Lithotripsy is a combination of two words "Litho"
and "Tripsy". In Latin, "Lith" is used for "Stone"
and "Tripsy" means crushing.
In modern science, Lithotripsy is a branch of medical field, in
which the stone present in urinary or biliary system is crushed
into small sand like pieces with the help of ultrasound like harmless
waves, without any breach in skin surface. In this modality of treatment,
neither a surgical cut or hole on the skin is made nor any internal
tube or instrument used endoscopically through urethra or per oram.
The harmless shock waves reach the stone by penetrating intact outer
skin surface painlessly and focus on the stone after traveling through
the body tissues.
To begin with, cracks are developed in the stone and it is then
crushed into small sand like particles. These small particles pass
out automatically from the body through natural passages. The particles
of kidney stone are passed through urine whereas the particles of
gallstone are passed through faeces, as the gallbladder tube called
cystic duct is connected with small intestine through common bile
duct.
THE PROCEDURE OF ESWL(How is Lithotripsy Performed?)
This method of treatment is unbelievably convenient and comfortable.
Routinely, neither there is any need to remain empty stomach nor
any injection or medicine is used before treatment. The patient
just walks in Lithotripsy room and lies on a soft table. Water filled
balloon touches the abdomen and multiple images of stone appear
on the TV monitors from various directions. Commonly, there is no
need to anesthetize the patient, because the procedure is not painful
or inconvenient. The treatment starts in a relaxed atmosphere, while
chatting lightly about the mechanism. During the process also, the
patient feels satisfied & comfortable .It seems as if some thing
is softly knocking at the skin repeatedly through the coupled balloon.
In this peaceful & friendly environment, the stone breaks into
pieces in minutes. The patient walks out of the room with a satisfied
face and starts the routine life on the same day. This applies to
most of patients with certain exceptions. For very hard and big
stones, the procedure may be repeated for more than once.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF "ESWL"(The Development
of Lithotripsy)
The Lithotripsy unit is called "Lithotripter".
This wonder of medical science and state of the art technology developed
in Germany, where first patient was treated in February 1980, in
Munich University.
The first success created a great wave of jubilation all over medical
community and this success was considered one of the greatest inventions
of 20th century in medical science in stone management. Even for
the surgeons, it was astonishing and amazing that for those cases,
where they have to operate for hours, the treatment was now possible
without surgery, not loosing even a single drop of blood and there
were no side effects at all. In a short span of time, different
models of Lithotripter were invented due to rapid advancement in
technology.
In the beginning, the patient had to lie in water filled tub and
only small sized stones of kidney were crushed after keeping the
patient empty stomach & unconscious. But as the medical research
advanced, newer machines with better technology were manufactured.
Now there is no need to anesthetize the patient or keeping hungry,
nor is any water tub required. The treatment of the patient is usually
completed in forty-fifty minutes. With newer machines, the treatment
is possible at all locations, whether Kidney, Ureter (tube of Kidney),
Urinary Bladder, Gall Bladder or Bile duct, with same convenience
and little difference.
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