Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy is a medical procedure used to break up kidney stones or gallstones into smaller pieces. It typically uses focused sound waves (shock waves) or lasers to shatter the stones from outside the body. This allows the fragments to pass more easily through the urinary tract or digestive system, reducing the need for surgical removal. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, with minimal discomfort, and is effective for treating certain types of stones without invasive surgery.