Laser Lithotripsy a Modern Method of Kidney Stone Treatment

Many techniques are used to turn these small pieces of stone by breaking them into kidney stones, urinary bladder, and ureter; however, Laser Lithotripsy is one of the modern methods used to treat kidney stones and has proven to be the best. It is done by using a laser in the patient’s urinary tract. After this, it is expected to have problems and discomfort during peeing due to having blood with it.

All the remaining particles of stones exit the body naturally through urine. As we are aware of the vital role of the kidney which is the main organ in the urinary system of the human body, thus any infection or disease in the kidney affects the overall body. Problems like kidney stones become complicated if not treated well before any significant damage.

Many techniques are used to treat kidney stones, like medications, surgery, laser lithotripsy, etc. Laser lithotripsy is best known for its effectiveness compared to shockwave lithotripsy because of its versatility during treatment in managing urinary tract stones and its ability to provide more reliable solutions for patients and healthcare providers.  

Overview:-

1.     What exactly is laser lithotripsy referring to in treatment?

It, like extracorporeal lithotripsy, is used in breaking stones in the urinary tract of the patient. This is applied in many parts of the urinary system such as the bladder, kidney, or ureter and urethra where the stones are crushed. When lasers are utilized in the fragmenting of stones in the kidney, the process is referred to as ‘Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy,’ wherein stones are retrieved by making an incision at the back of the patient.

2.     Does laser lithotripsy count in major surgery?

Laser lithotripsy is primarily performed by urologists who place a slender laser fiber via a scope, preferably containing a camera and a long shaft, into a patient’s kidney through the urinary tract for stone breaking. This laser bounded the rocks, and then it was pulled out, and the stones passed out naturally by urinating.

No, laser lithotripsy is not counted in major surgery, but it is used in the process of minimal procedure for crushing stones in the kidney or another part.

3.     How can laser lithotripsy and shock waves be differentiated?

How stones are crushed down of rocks is different from the laser and shock wave lithotripsy. Laser lithotripsy crushes stones more directly with a laser inside the body, but in shock waves, lithotripsy stones break down from outside the body with shock waves.

The reasons for the effectiveness of laser lithotripsy over shock waves are the stones’ size, location, or hardness. However, it has more risk after more efficiency than shock waves due to its surgical devices going inside the body.

Procedure Details

1.     What happens before laser lithotripsy?

As a precaution, before the procedure, your doctor will brief you on certain measures to take to reduce as many as possible hitches. These may include:

·   At least 8 hours before beginning the operation avoid taking any food to help in achieving an empty stomach.

·   Adhering to your doctor’s directions of halting specific medications that may impact the results of the procedure.

·   Organizing for someone to take you home, you may feel sleepy or unsuited after the process.

·   Telling your doctor about all the medications that you are presently using, any herbs or over-the-counter chemical substances.

·   Sometimes, if your kidneys are blocked before the lithotripsy is scheduled, your doctor might have to put in a stent briefly to open your ureter. This may be done by postponing the laser treatment to after two to three weeks.

2.     What happened at the time of laser lithotripsy?

During a laser lithotripsy a provider will:

·         Provide anesthesia to asleep the patient during the procedure.

·         The male part of this is to insert a scope into your urethra.

·         Basically, pass a fiber through the scope with a laser at the other end.

·         Laser away the stone into pieces.

·         Put the pieces of the stone back into the basket.

·         Insert a tube (ureteral stent) which will stay for a short period so you can pee and small fragments of the stone to pass through your system. Your provider will take the stent out at a later time (typically days to weeks from the stent placement).

·         Remove the scope.

3.    How much time laser lithotripsy will take in the procedure?

Laser lithotripsy is not a very long procedure, it only takes one to two hours in the whole procedure to perform.

4.     Does laser lithotripsy make the patient more painful?

Due to the administration of anesthesia, you ought not to feel any pain when the operation is ongoing. After the procedure, some soreness may be felt in the area where the surgery was done.

5.     What happens after the laser lithotripsy procedure?

Following this procedure, your providers will care for you until the time comes for you to be discharged. You will require someone to drop you off. You may need some painkiller drugs, medicine for the stents to relieve you, and a few antibiotics for a few days.

Risks / Benefits

1.     Advantages of laser lithotripsy

Advantages of laser lithotripsy over shock wave therapy include:

·         Higher success rates.

·         A lower risk of stone fragments traveling to the ureter.

·         This is less restricted by place of deposit, degree of induration of the stone, or size of the stones.

·         It is efficient on many stone kinds.

·         It can be taken if you are on blood-thinning drugs or pregnant.

2.     Risks and side effects after laser lithotripsy procedure

After laser lithotripsy treatment, it is very common to suffer from points like:

·         Pain.

·         Difficulty peeing.

·         Seeing blood in the urine – Hematuria.

·         Headache is a common sign, as well as vomiting and dizziness soon after having the anesthesia.

Complications of laser lithotripsy include:

·         Ureter injury.

·         Urinary tract infection (UTI).

·         Since small pieces of stone obstruct your urinary tract.

Recovery and Outlook

1.     How much time is taken to recover from laser lithotripsy?

For most people, it takes only a week to recover and back to normal activities from laser lithotripsy. But for total recovery, it takes more time.

2.     How can a patient take care of himself after laser lithotripsy?

One of the best ways to recover is to drink plenty of water and fluids. Follow all the suggestions which are provided by the doctor and keep in touch with the doctor for medication choices.

When to call a doctor

·        When to consult to healthcare provider?

If the patient suffering from some symptoms like fever, discomfort in pee for more than a day or two like burning, bleeding in pee. Then they should consult to best urology doctor in Jaipur immediately to be on the safer side.

Conclusion

Laser lithotripsy is used in the case of kidney stone treatment and has very high positive outcome rates. Needlessly to say, it does have its pitfalls. Less painful and recovery happens much faster—this, of course, makes it highly interesting for many patients. 

Improving technology will further advance this procedure and bring even better results for people suffering from this disease. Laser lithotripsy has meant a synonym of hope and healing for one of humankind’s most common urological problems to many people.