A machine makes sound waves that break up stones into smaller pieces from outside the body. Pieces of stone are then passed in the urine over time.
ESWL can treat kidney stones, but it may not be recommended or may not be your best option.
Advantages:
- Least Invasive
- Fastest Recovery (usually 1 to 3 days)
- Lowest risk of complications (for well-selected patients)
- Least painful (according to patient reports)
Disadvantages:
- Less effective compared to other options
- Can require additional procedures
- Ideal for single stone, and softer
- Few patients are ideal for this procedure
Potential Complications:
- Hemorrhage (perinephric hematoma)
- Hypertension (from Page Kidney)
- Steinstrasse (German for ‘stone street’ where fragments become log-jammed while trying to pass)
- Pain
- Infection
- Insufficient stone fragmentation
Kidney Stone Center of Maine 