Mission Regional Medical Center

State-of-the-Art Technology

Lithotripsy services for kidney stones, using a state-of-the-art Storz Modulith Slx-f2 Lithotripter machine, are now available at Mission Regional Medical Center. The lithotripter is a state-of-the-art machine with sophisticated imaging (fluoroscopy) that the doctor views during surgery. It is the only such machine in the Rio Grande Valley.

Lithotripsy (sometimes called ESWL—extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) is a noninvasive treatment that requires no incision. During lithotripsy, a special machine called a lithotripter sends shock-waves through the body directly toward a patient’s kidney stone. The waves pass through the skin and muscles of the back and the force of the repeated shock waves ultimately shatters the stone, which is then flushed out in the urine.

Lithotripsy takes approximately 30 minutes, with a short period following the procedure for rest and recovery; patients will not need to stay overnight and can usually resume normal activities within a day or two. The advantage for patients is less pain and trauma and faster procedure time. For physicians, the advantage includes superior image quality for more accurate diagnosis and treatment flexibility, faster procedure time, ability to treat larger patients, and less noise.

To schedule an appointment or to get more information about the procedure, patients should contact Mission Regional Medical Center at (956) 323-1150.