Shock wave lithotripsy in Medellín
Shock waves that break up the stone, without incisions
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) breaks up the stone from outside the body, without an endoscope or incisions, in an outpatient session. It works best for moderately sized, low-density stones. MDE Care is not a clinic: we coordinate the assessment with the urologist, the tests, the session and your stay in Medellín.
Support
from the CT scan to the follow-up
Are you a good candidate for lithotripsy?
Lithotripsy works best for moderately sized, low-density stones that are close to the skin. With a few details from your CT scan and your health, we show you how likely it is to work and whether there is any contraindication.
1. Are you a woman or a man?
2. Where is the stone?
3. Stone size
4. Stone density on the CT scan
5. Skin-to-stone distance on the CT scan
6. Do any of these apply to you? (you may select several)
Your guidance
Answers missing
Please complete the questions to see your guidance.
* Criteria from the European Association of Urology (EAU) urolithiasis guideline: a density over 1,000 Hounsfield units, a skin-to-stone distance over 10 cm and an unfavorable lower pole reduce success. The indication is given by the urologist.
How much shock wave lithotripsy costs in Medellín
Select the tests you do not have yet, the follow-up and your stay if you are coming from another city. We show you the price of each part and the estimated total.
Plan
Before the session
Select what you do not have yet.
If the stone does not break up completely
Afterwards
Stay in Medellín
If you are coming from another city or country.
Estimated total
Lithotripsy and your selection
From COP 4,500,000
Reference "from" price; confirmed in the formal quote.
Request an assessment* Estimated market prices in Medellín; procedures are shown with their reference "from" price and are confirmed in the formal quote, which details fees, anesthesia, operating room and hospital stay. Lodging corresponds to the partner recovery house, standard room.
How likely is it to become stone-free?
Size is the factor that most changes the result of lithotripsy. Choose the size of your lower pole stone to compare lithotripsy with the alternative studied in a randomized clinical trial.
Shock wave lithotripsy
35%
Stone-free at 3 months.
Flexible ureteroscopy
50%
Stone-free at 3 months, on CT.
Up to 10 mm the difference was not significant: lithotripsy is a reasonable option, with a shorter recovery.
Lower pole stones in two randomized trials: Lower Pole II (Pearle et al., 2005), up to 10 mm, and Lower Pole I (Albala et al., 2001), up to 30 mm. In the renal pelvis and upper calyces lithotripsy performs better, but there is no single figure to show.
What is shock wave lithotripsy?
A device generates shock waves that are focused on the stone, guided by X-rays or ultrasound. The waves pass through the skin and tissues and break the stone into small particles, which then pass with the urine.
It is performed on an outpatient basis, with analgesia or sedation. Compared with laser ureteroscopy, it is less invasive, but it clears less stone in a single session.
When it is not performed
- Pregnancy
- Anticoagulants or clotting disorders that cannot be corrected
- Active urinary tract infection, until it is treated
- Aneurysm of the aorta or renal artery near the stone
- Narrowing of the urinary tract below the stone
What determines whether lithotripsy works
Four details from the CT scan, according to the European urolithiasis guideline.
Size
Up to 20 mm
Over 20 mm
Density on the CT scan
Under 1,000 HU
Over 1,000 HU
Skin-to-stone distance
Up to 10 cm
Over 10 cm
Location
Renal pelvis, upper calyces or upper ureter
Lower pole with unfavorable anatomy
Is your stone larger than 20 mm? Review percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Not sure yet which technique is right for you? See the options for kidney stones.
After lithotripsy
By phase
On the day of the session
Outpatient
You return to your accommodation the same day, with a companion.
Following days
Passage of the fragments
With the urine, over days or weeks. Pink urine and colicky pain are normal.
Between 4 and 12 weeks
Follow-up imaging
Confirms whether the kidney is clear or another session is needed.
Afterwards
Fragment analysis
Keep one when straining the urine: its composition guides prevention.
Returning to work
There is no single published timeframe; recovery is usually shorter than with ureteroscopy. The urologist will advise you based on how you feel.
When to seek care
Fever, pain that does not improve with painkillers, or inability to urinate.
Fluids
Drinking enough fluids helps the fragments pass.
Side effects and risks of lithotripsy
Lithotripsy is the least invasive technique, but it is not free of effects. The most characteristic one is the build-up of fragments in the ureter.
Effects and complications
- Build-up of fragments in the ureter (steinstrasse)4%
- Symptomatic kidney hematoma0.2%
- Renal colic while the fragments pass2% to 4%
- Need for another session or proceduredepending on size and density
4%
Steinstrasse
The fragments line up in the ureter; they often pass on their own and, if not, they are removed by ureteroscopy.
0.2%
Symptomatic hematoma
This is why lithotripsy is not performed with anticoagulants that cannot be stopped.
Lithotripsy compared with other techniques
The four ways to treat a stone, with their reference price and the size for which they are usually indicated.
Medical management and stone passage
Reference price
From COP 250,000 (US$63)
Stone size
Ureter, up to 10 mm
No procedure
Shock wave lithotripsy
Reference price
From COP 4,500,000 (US$1,125)
Stone size
Up to 20 mm, low density
Outpatient
Laser ureteroscopy
Reference price
From COP 8,000,000 (US$2,000)
Stone size
Ureter of any size and kidney up to 20 mm
Same day or one night
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Reference price
From COP 14,000,000 (US$3,500)
Stone size
Kidney, over 20 mm or staghorn
1 to 3 days
Your lithotripsy in Medellín, step by step
The urologist defines how many days you should stay in Medellín, depending on the technique and whether a stent is left. We coordinate the schedule so that tests, procedure and follow-up fit into as few days as possible.
Step 1
Contact by WhatsApp
You send us your ultrasound or CT scan and tell us about your symptoms.
Step 2
Case review
The urologist reviews your images and proposes the technique usually indicated.
Step 3
Pending tests
CT urogram, urinalysis and creatinine, if you do not have them yet; they can be done on arrival.
Step 4
Formal quote
With the details of what is included, in pesos or in dollars.
Step 5
Lithotripsy session
Outpatient; with the option of a recovery house at COP 759,900 (about US$190) per night while the fragments pass.
Step 6
Follow-up and return
Follow-up imaging and, if a stent was left, its removal before you travel.
What MDE Care does for you
We are neither a clinic nor a directory. We support you from your first question to the results consultation.
Initial guidance
We review your medical order or the reason for your visit before booking.
The right specialist
We connect you with the urologist who performs the procedure you need.
Clear prices
You know the price and what it includes before booking.
Appointments and tests
We coordinate the schedule, the preparation and the timing of each step.
Logistics support
Lodging and transportation if you are coming from another city or country.
Follow-up
We coordinate the results consultation and follow-up visits.
About shock wave lithotripsy
How much does lithotripsy cost in Medellín?
Does lithotripsy hurt?
How many sessions are needed?
When can lithotripsy not be performed?
How do the fragments pass?
What is stone density in Hounsfield units?
Can you travel after lithotripsy?
Other urology pages
Request your assessment for shock wave lithotripsy
Send us your CT scan. We will tell you whether lithotripsy is usually indicated in your case and the price before you travel.