Depending on the lithotripter used, the patient is either submerged
in warm water in a very large specially designed bathtub for
approximately one hour for the treatment, or positioned on a
specially designed treatment table for the procedure. High resolution
x-ray system and digital fluoroscopy assist in properly positioning
the patient so the stone(s) receives the strongest impact
of shock waves created by a special electrode.
These shock waves are created outside the body and then travel
through the skin and tissue until they hit the dense stone.
Depending on the type and location of your stone, you may receive
from 800 to 3000 shock waves. Once the stone appears to be adequately fragmented, you are taken to a recovery area. |
