Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

(EHL; Intracorporeal Lithotripsy; Ureteroscopic Stone Removal

by Deanna M. Neff, MPH

Definition

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is one of many methods to treat kidney stones. It uses an electrohydraulic device with a flexible probe to deliver electricity that breaks apart the stones.

Kidney Stone

Reasons for Procedure

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

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

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

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

Smoking
Drinking
Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity

Your risk of complications may increase if you have bleeding disorders or are taking medications that reduce blood clotting.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Before the procedure, your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam and medical history
Blood and urine tests
Imaging studies to find the location of the stone

Other things to remember before the procedure:

Arrange for a ride home from the care center.
If instructed by your doctor, do not eat or drink for 8 hours before the procedure.

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep during the procedure.

Description of the Procedure

Your doctor will place a tiny flexible probe through your urethra and up the ureter toward the stone. The probe has two electrodes at the end. Images will help locate the stone. After the stone is located, the device will be used. An electrical spark will break the stone. A special basket or forceps may be used to grab the stone fragments and remove them. The stone fragments may be allowed to pass in the urine.

Depending on the size of the stone, more than one probe may be used. A stent may be placed in the ureter. It will help protect the lining while the stone fragments pass or damage is being repaired.

There may be fragments that are too large to pass after the procedure. These can be treated again with lithotripsy.

How Long Will It Take?

30-60 minutes depending on the size and location of the stone

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting. In most cases, there will be no hospital stay.

Post-procedure Care

At the Care Center

You will be monitored as you recover from anesthesia.
Pain medication will be given.
You may be asked to get up and walk around before leaving the care center.

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chances of infection such as:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and healthcare providers to do the same
Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks

At Home

Be sure to drink plenty of water in the weeks after the procedure. This will help the stone pieces to pass.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

Inability to urinate
Excess blood in your urine
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Urology Care Foundation
http://urologyhealth.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org

Kidney Foundation of Canada
https://www.kidney.ca

References:

Cystoscopy & ureteroscopy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Kidney stones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Nephrolithiasis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 29, 2021.

Ureteroscopy. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_ureteroscopy. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 1/29/2021

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