How many days of hospitalization are needed after minimally invasive lithotripsy?
In general, minimally invasive lithotripsy requires 5–7 days of hospitalization. When extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) fails to clear the stones, minimally invasive lithotripsy is performed. This involves making a small puncture in the skin to insert a special instrument that delivers holmium laser energy directly onto the stone surface. The success rate is high because the laser effectively fragments most stones, allowing the fragments to pass out naturally. For ureteral stones, a cystoscope can be passed through the bladder into the ureter to reach the stone, and holmium laser lithotripsy is then performed. Although effective, the procedure may cause minor... Learn more