What are Bladder stones and how do they form?
Bladder stones are a common cause of urinary problems and urinary blockage. Stones are usually seen in small children an elderly men who have obstruction in the urinary pipe. This obstruction may be due to an enlarged prostate or a stricture in the urethra. Among children bladder stones may formed due to deficiencies in the diet and these stones are called endemic bladder stones.
What is Cystolithotripsy ?
Bladder stones are removed by a procedure called as cystolithotripsy. In this procedure an endoscope is introduced into the urinary pipe to visualize the bladder stone. Using laser or a pneumatic lithoclast the stone is fragmented into pieces which are then extracted through the urinary pipe. Once the fragments have been removed completely urinary catheter is placed for 24 to 48 hours.
What is the Duration of Cystolithotripsy ?
The duration of cystolithotripsy depends upon the size of the stone. All stones which are less than a centimeter can be removed as early as 5 minutes however largest stones may require a lengthy a procedure of about 30 to 60 minutes
Is Bladder Stone Surgery performed under Anesthesia ?
Small stones can be removed under local anesthesia however stones more than 2 centimeters usually require spinal or regional anesthesia.
How to prepare for the procedure ?
- If your procedure is being performed under spinal or general anesthesia it is advised that a fasting of 6 – 8 hours should be followed.
- For procedure that are being done under local anesthesia the patient can have light meals before the procedure
- To reduce infection and contamination it is advisable that the pubic hair should be shaved or trimmed
- You must arrive at least half an hour before the designated time of the procedure
Operative Steps
- After your arrival be preoperative investigations will be checked and entered in a file
- You will be allotted a private room and informed consent will be taken by our staff
- You will be requested to change into a gown and an intravenous line maybe setup
- Protesting for any allergies with the antibiotic and the local anesthesia will be done
- You will be shifted to the operating room to conduct the procedure
- You will be made to lie down on the operating table and the legs will be elevated with stirrups
- Local anesthesia may be administered into the urinary pipe which may lead to mild burning
- The cystoscope will then be introduced and the stone visualized in fragmented into pieces
- The fragments of the stone will then be retrieved
- Urinary catheter will be placed
- You will be shifted back to your room on a wheelchair or trolley
Course after the Cystolithotripsy
- For procedures that are done under General or regional anesthesia the patient is monitored for 24 hours before discharge can be given
- The foley’s catheter is usually removed after 6-8 hours of the procedure
- Corporation to undergo the surgery under local anesthesia discharge can be given in 2 to 4 hours
- Once the patient has been discharged the routine work can be followed
- The patient can join work on the following day of the discharge