Glossary term
Lithotripsy
Reference only — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
A procedure that breaks down stones (commonly kidney or gall) using shock waves (extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, ESWL) or laser energy (intracorporeal laser lithotripsy). Outpatient procedure under sedation or anaesthesia. Stone fragments pass naturally over subsequent days; complications include bleeding, infection, and rarely renal injury.