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ESWL is short for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, which is the most common treatment for kidney stones in the U.S. It’s a nonsurgical technique for treating stones in the kidney or ureter (the tube between the kidney and the bladder) using high-energy shock waves. ESWL sends sound waves through your body, which in turn break kidney stones into smaller fragments. ESWL uses these shock waves to crush kidney stones into dust that can more easily move down the urinary tract and pass harmlessly from the body.
The procedure is fairly simple and quite comfortable. You lie on a water-filled cushion while we use X-rays or ultrasound tests to determine the precise location of the kidney stone or gallstone. We then pass ESWL’s high-energy sound waves through your body without injuring surrounding tissues. The procedure works better with some stones than others.
Stones smaller than 2 cm in diameter are the best size for ESWL. The treatment is less effective for very large stones. ESWL is more appropriate for some people than others. Pregnant women and people with bleeding disorders, infections, severe skeletal abnormalities, or morbid obesity are not usually good candidates for ESWL. lf you have other kidney abnormalities or a cardiac pacemaker, we may decide you should have a different treatment.
Be sure to follow any specific individual instructions given to you by your physician before you come to the Center.
If you have an Internal Defibrillator, Allergy to Latex or Sleep Apnea, please contact the center staff as soon as possible. If you are taking blood thinners (Aspirin, coumadin, etc.) you may be instructed to stop these before your procedure. Some procedures may require you to stop taking some supplements as well. Your nurse will discuss these with you during your pre-op call. Again, please follow any instructions given to you by your physician prior to your procedure.
All patients are required to sign a consent form before their procedure that will authorize your physician to perform the surgery. Patients under 18 years of age or those unable to sign for themselves must have a parent, guardian, power of attorney or other arrangement made to sign the consent.
Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
If you are receiving a sedative drug to make you calm or asleep during the procedure it will be required to you to have someone to drive you.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put on. If you tend to be sensitive to cold temperatures, please come prepared.
Please bring a list of your current medications, vitamins and supplements with their dosages and strengths.
DO take your heart or blood pressure medications with a very small sip of water as soon as getting out of bed the day of your procedure.
DO bring any inhalers that you use even if not used daily.
Please bring your insurance cards, driver’s license or other photo ID.
You will receive a call from the Center to confirm your appointment 1-3 days prior to the procedure and to review any questions.
You may be required to see your Primary Care Provider for a History and Physical within 30 days of your scheduled procedure, and have required laboratory and diagnostic testing completed.
If followed by Cardiology you may be required to have cardiac clearance prior to your scheduled procedure.
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your procedure unless instructed otherwise. It’s fine to brush your teeth, but do not drink any fluids.
DO NOT wear your contact lenses.
Please leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
If you are receiving a sedative drug to make you calm or asleep during the procedure it will be required to you to have someone to drive you.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put on. If you tend to be sensitive to cold temperatures, please come prepared.
Please bring a list of your current medications, vitamins and supplements with their dosages and strengths.
DO take your heart or blood pressure medications with a very small sip of water as soon as getting out of bed the day of your procedure.
DO bring any inhalers that you use even if not used daily.
Please bring your insurance cards, driver’s license or other photo ID.
You should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your procedure unless instructed otherwise. It’s fine to brush your teeth, but do not drink any fluids.
DO NOT wear your contact lenses.
Your physician will provide post-operative instructions regarding diet, rest, exercise, and medications. You will be provided with a written summary of these discharge instructions.
A nurse from the Surgery Center will attempt to call you the day after your surgery to check on your progress and discuss any questions you may have. If you have any unexpected problems, please call your doctor. If he/she does not respond, please go to the nearest emergency room.
Wisconsin Institute of Surgical Excellence is dedicated to service through compassionate patient centered care, Our goal is to promote a partnership between provider, patient, and community, while adhering to the highest standards of integrity and excellence. We are committed to progressive and innovative care, using state of the art technology with the most cost effective means possible.