Most kidney stone patients are candidates for ESWL. About 20 per cent may require some other form of stone treatment because of the size or location of their stones. As well, pregnant patients are not eligible for lithotripsy.

Advantages of Lithotripsy

• It is a safe, non-surgical procedure.
• It is less painful than alternative forms of kidney stone treatment.
• Hospital stay is dramatically reduced to a few hours compared
• with 7 - 14 days for kidney stone surgery.
• Patients can return to work and resume other normal
• activities more quickly.
• Partial disability after the procedure is reduced
• from six weeks to just a few days.

Success of Lithotripsy

Extensive studies reveal a success rate of over 90 per cent in lithotripsy procedures. Most patients are stone free within six weeks of treatment. In most cases only one shock wave treatment is required.