What is Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy?

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is one of many types of techniques used to break kidney stones or bile stones. The electrohydraulic device uses a flexible probe to deliver electricity.

Kidney Stone © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Lithotripsy is used to remove kidney stones that:

• Are too large to pass

• Cause constant pain

• Block the flow of urine

• Cause an ongoing infection

• Damage surrounding tissue

• Cause bleeding

This procedure can also be used to remove stones in the bile duct or the pancreatic duct.

Gallstones © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have this procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Damage or irritation to tissue or surrounding structures

• Blood in the urine

• Infection

• Pain as the stone fragments pass

• Failure of stone fragments to pass, requiring additional surgery

• Need for more treatments

• Reaction to anesthesia

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Bleeding disorders or taking medicines that reduce blood clotting

• Smoking

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Inability to urinate

• A lot of blood in your...