Limitations of Shockwave Lithotripsy
While shockwave lithotripsy is generally well-tolerated, it may not guarantee complete success in a single treatment. In fact, multiple treatments are often required for optimum results. It is important to note that not all patients with kidney stones are ideal candidates for this procedure. Careful selection is necessary to identify those with the best chance of completely eliminating the stones.
Additionally, shockwave lithotripsy may not be as effective on obese patients. This is because the soundwaves used in the procedure have to travel through more tissue before reaching the stones, which can limit their effectiveness.
Pancreatic and Biliary Stones
Lithotripsy can be utilized to treat pancreatic and biliary stones, aside from kidney stones. While it is not the most commonly employed method for these particular stones, lithotripsy is beneficial in fragmenting large or irregularly shaped growths. To maximize its effectiveness, lithotripsy is often combined with stent placement, and in some cases, extraction of sizable stone fragments may be necessary.