Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses shock waves to break down kidney stones. This term is spelled as "ɛkstrəkɔːpɔːriəl ʃɒk weɪv lɪθətrɪpsi" in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "extracorporeal" means "outside the body" and is pronounced as "ɛkstrəkɔːˈpɔːriəl". "Shock wave" is pronounced as "ʃɒk weɪv", and "lithotripsy", which refers to stone fragmentation, is pronounced as "lɪθətrɪpsi". The spelling of this word may seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it down using phonetic transcription can make it easier to understand and pronounce.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive medical procedure used to break down stones formed in the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract into small fragments. It is commonly employed in cases of kidney stones, ureteral stones, or stones present in the gallbladder or salivary glands.
During the procedure, shock waves are generated outside the body (extracorporeally) and directed towards the stone to break it apart. These shock waves, also known as high-pressure sound waves, are created by a specialized machine called a lithotripter. The patient is positioned in a water bath or is submerged in water to facilitate the transmission of the waves.
As the shock waves pass through the body, they cause the targeted stone to fragment into smaller pieces. These smaller fragments can then be easily passed through the urinary system and subsequently expelled from the body during normal urination.
ESWL offers several advantages over traditional surgical methods for stone removal, as it is a non-invasive procedure which eliminates the need for surgical incisions. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort during the treatment and can often return to their normal activities shortly afterward. However, some individuals may require multiple sessions of ESWL to completely eliminate the stones.
Overall, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a widely used and effective treatment for kidney stones, as it provides a less invasive alternative to surgery and enables the removal of stones without the need for major interventions or prolonged recovery periods.