Patient's question:
How big can a kidney stone be to pass on its own without being crushed?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Generally, patients with small and medium-sized kidney stones often show no symptoms. Once they fall off and enter the ureter, they can cause severe pain. Only larger kidney stones can cause discomfort or pain in the waist. It is recommended to use extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the first choice for stone removal treatment. Additionally, early treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, as it yields better stone removal results.First, let me explain that ESWL is a non-invasive, innovative stone removal treatment device and technology. Its principle is entirely different from that of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The advantage of ESWL lies in its lack of any organ damage, thorough stone removal, and minimal pain for the patient, making it easily acceptable. In contrast, ESWL is more painful and causes organ damage.
The ESWL technology employs high-frequency superconducting fluid dynamic shock wave dynamics in a three-dimensional integrated stone removal system, assisted by large digital ultrasound for precise localization. It features accurate positioning, rapid stone removal, and is effective for bile duct stones, ureteral stones, allowing stones to pass as they are removed. It is particularly effective in completely removing from intrahepatic bile ducts. The most prominent feature of this device is its user-friendly operability, thorough stone removal for various types of stones, broad applicability, minimal side effects on the body, painless stone removal during the process, no need for hospitalization, and lower treatment costs, making it easily acceptable to patients. It is a reliable, effective, simple, and practical treatment device with unique equipment and technological advantages. Therefore, it is currently the best choice for treating various types of stones.
ESWL is the optimal choice for kidney and ureteral stones under 10 mm. For larger stones, the principle of first crushing and then removing the stones should be followed to achieve complementary advantages. Whether it is small stones or larger multiple stones, early diagnosis of kidney stones has become more timely due to the widespread use of ultrasound. Newly formed small stones are generally detected early, providing the best conditions for ESWL stone removal treatment. At the same time, it offers the latest measures for early stone removal treatment, avoiding excessive methods that cause significant organ damage, poor effectiveness, pain, and high costs. It is recommended to use ESWL as the first choice for stone removal treatment and to initiate early treatment as soon as possible for better results.
First, let me explain that ESWL is a non-invasive, innovative stone removal treatment device and technology. Its principle is entirely different from that of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The advantage of ESWL lies in its lack of any organ damage, thorough stone removal, and minimal pain for the patient, making it easily acceptable. In contrast, ESWL is more painful and causes organ damage.
The ESWL technology employs high-frequency superconducting fluid dynamic shock wave dynamics in a three-dimensional integrated stone removal system, assisted by large digital ultrasound for precise localization. It features accurate positioning, rapid stone removal, and is effective for bile duct stones, ureteral stones, allowing stones to pass as they are removed. It is particularly effective in completely removing from intrahepatic bile ducts. The most prominent feature of this device is its user-friendly operability, thorough stone removal for various types of stones, broad applicability, minimal side effects on the body, painless stone removal during the process, no need for hospitalization, and lower treatment costs, making it easily acceptable to patients. It is a reliable, effective, simple, and practical treatment device with unique equipment and technological advantages. Therefore, it is currently the best choice for treating various types of stones.
The indications and treatment scope of ESWL are as follows:
(1) For various kidney and ureteral stones less than 1.2 cm, ESWL should be the first choice for stone removal treatment. It causes no kidney damage, ensures thorough stone removal, is safe and painless, and avoids the side effects of shock wave lithotripsy. If the stone diameter exceeds 1.2 cm, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be used first to crush the stone, followed by ESWL for thorough stone removal, achieving complementary advantages.
(2) This device is particularly suitable for acute ureteral stones and the resulting hydronephrosis, renal pelvis dilation, ureteral hydronephrosis, ureteral dilation, and renal colic. It can rapidly remove ureteral stones, alleviate immediate pain, and quickly relieve symptoms, making it the preferred treatment for ureteral stones.
(3) For patients with multiple kidney stones on the same side combined with ureteral stones, the ureteral stones should be removed first, followed by the removal of multiple kidney stones, to prevent the formation of a "stone street" in the ureter.
(4) For large kidney stones that remain in the lower pole of the kidney pelvis or calyces after ESWL fragmentation, these residual small stones are the optimal indication for ESWL for thorough stone removal. This is because the handheld high-frequency superconducting shock wave transducer can directly touch the stones in the lower pole of the kidney, moving them into the renal pelvis and ureter for removal.
(5) For the stone removal treatment of the above types of stone diseases, if complicated by urinary tract infections leading to pyelonephritis, ureteritis, cystitis, prostatitis, or urethritis, due to inflammatory congestion and swelling of the mucosa affecting stone removal, antibiotic anti-inflammatory treatment must be administered first. ESWL stone removal treatment can only be performed after the inflammation subsides.
(6) Generally, 1-3 ESWL treatments are sufficient to completely remove stones, with a duration of 5-7 days. Patients in good physical condition can undergo continuous stone removal treatment, while those with poorer physical health can have treatments once every other day. If the urinary function is poor or there are complications, the hospitalization period may be longer. According to clinical observations, Professor Chen Bangjing believes that ESWL is the leading new technology for treating stones domestically and internationally. It is the preferred method for treating kidney stones, ureteral stones (which are generally removed within two hours), gallstones, and extrahepatic bile duct stones. Its completely thorough stone removal effect, lack of any organ side effects, and low cost have benefited a vast number of patients. For stones beyond the scope of ESWL, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy should be performed first, followed by stone removal. For large renal cast stones and gallstones, surgical stone removal should be considered as soon as they are detected.
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