Lithotripsy Cost in India

WHAT IS LITHOTRIPSY?

Stones in the kidneys, gallbladder, or ureters are frequent. Stones might be tiny enough to pass through the body unnoticed during the urine. Large kidney or ureter stones, on the other hand, can cause discomfort and restrict the passage of urine.

If stones do not pass, they might cause kidney and urinary tract damage. When drugs are ineffective, a lithotripsy operation can break the stones down into tiny pieces, allowing them to pass through the urine.

In definition, Lithotripsy is a surgical technique. It breaks down stones in the kidney, gallbladder, or ureters using shock waves or a laser. When a person urinates, the remaining little stone particles will escape the body.

TYPES OF LITHOTRIPSY

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: Shock waves are used in ESWL to break down stones. During this operation, a doctor will use a machine called a lithotripter to send sound waves through the body toward the stones. The sound waves shatter the stones into microscopic fragments. They are intended to affect the stone, but if the doctor does not properly administer and monitor them, they might also injure other tissues in the body. The surgery normally takes around an hour and takes place at a hospital. Most of the time, a person may return home the same day. Following therapy, patients should pass the stone particles through pee over days or weeks. It is crucial to highlight that this therapy may have problems. One concern is bleeding caused by renal injury.

• Flexible Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy: An endoscope is used to treat stones in the ureter during this surgery. An endoscope is a flexible tube with a light and camera attached that allows a doctor to view a bodily cavity or organ. The ureteroscope allows the doctor to visualize the stones and use a laser to break them down. The surgery takes around 30 minutes, and most patients can return home the same day. However, depending on the number of stones to be removed and their hardness, the treatment might take up to two hours. In the days and weeks following the treatment, the fragmented stone particles should flow readily via urine.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THIS PROCEDURE?

A doctor will do tests before the lithotripsy process to establish the number of stones a person has, as well as their size and placement. Because this test is very sensitive and specific, the doctor would most likely utilize a non-contrast CT scan to identify kidney stones. They will also use a routine abdomen X-ray called a kidney, ureters, and bladders (KUB) to look for calcium-containing stones. 

If a person is taking any drugs, they should notify their doctor ahead of time. They may need to cease taking certain drugs before the treatment, such as blood thinners and over-the-counter pain medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen. This is because they might interfere with the capacity of the blood to clot. Clotting of the blood is required to control any bleeding that may occur during or after the surgery.

Lithotripsy is often performed under general anesthesia, which means the patient will be sleeping and will not experience any discomfort. Typically, patients must fast for 8–12 hours before taking anesthetics. Anyone having lithotripsy should also make arrangements for someone to drive them home, as anesthetics can cause sleepiness and nausea for many hours following the treatment.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE

Once in the operation room, the doctor will insert an intravenous line into the patient's arm to provide anesthetics and pain medicines. The subject will recline on the table with the lithotripter positioned to target the location of the stones for ESWL. To appropriately channel the shock waves, the doctor will place a water-filled cushion between the body and the lithotripter. The shock waves are not unpleasant. The doctor may also insert a stent into the ureter to aid in the passage of the fragmented stones. To diagnose FURSL, a doctor will put a ureteroscope into the bladder and, if required, up into the ureter and kidney. They will then use a laser to shatter any stones they come across.

LITHOTRIPSY COST IN INDIA

The cost of lithotripsy in India will cost around Rs. 72,000. If you are a Credihealth user, the cost can drop down to Rs. 50,000. Credihealth provides you with access to all of the information you want in one convenient location. You may research the costs of the surgery at several facilities and also pick a doctor that you believe would be the greatest fit for you. All of this information is easily accessible with a few mouse clicks. Credihealth may also assist with appointment scheduling and online consultations. You may purchase your post-procedure medicines without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.