
ESWL is a procedure in which kidney stones are broken w=by external source of hydraulic or electromagnetic energy. Its an OPD procedure and no anesthesia is needed for this. Complete stone breaking may require 3-4 sessions at weekly interval. Stones are crushed by the waves and passed into the urine. This is recommended for smaller stone of less than 1.5 cm size .
Complications- Sometimes stone fragments may get stuck in the ureter and a surgery is needed to remove them. Bleeding and infection may occur in less than 2-3 % of cases.