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ESWL · Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy in Bangkok
ESWL is the only completely non-invasive kidney stone treatment · external shockwaves fragment the stone inside your kidney, then the pieces pass naturally in your urine. No incisions, no scope, no general anesthesia required for most patients. Best for kidney and upper ureteric stones under 2 cm.
Our solutions
Why patients choose ESWL
What Our Patients Say
Male Surgery
The difference was night and day. I hadn’t felt a strong stream like that in years.
Wachirawit, 67
Male Surgery
I was nervous about surgery, but the relief was almost instant. Sleeping through the night feels incredible again.
Khom, 64
Book your consultation today.
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How to Prepare for ESWL
Imaging confirms stone location and size
CT KUB or ultrasound to confirm the stone is appropriate for ESWL.Stop blood thinners
5-7 days before treatment only if cleared by your prescribing doctor.Urine culture
Treat any urinary infection before ESWL.Pre-anesthesia assessment
Brief screening to confirm fitness for sedation.Fast pre-procedure
No food for 6 hours before sedation.Plan for transport home
You cannot drive yourself home after sedation.
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What Happens During ESWL
Positioning
You lie on the ESWL table · the shockwave head is aligned with your stone using X-ray or ultrasound targeting.Sedation
TIVA or light sedation is given · most patients sleep through the procedure.Shockwave delivery
The machine delivers 2,500-4,000 shocks over 30-45 minutes. Energy increases gradually to your tolerance.Recovery
30-60 minutes in recovery as the sedation wears off.Discharge
Same day discharge with pain medication and instructions on passing stone fragments.Follow-up imaging
Repeat imaging in 2-4 weeks confirms the stone has fragmented and passed.
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Explore Our Topics
About ESWL
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High-Volume ESWL Center
Our urology team performs ESWL routinely for stones up to 2 cm · referral pathway to URS/RIRS or PCNL when stones are larger or stone characteristics are unfavorable.
Right-Stone-Right-Technique Triage
Not every stone is best treated with ESWL · we triage based on stone size, location, density (Hounsfield units), and your kidney anatomy.
Same-Day Imaging and Treatment
Stone CT, consultation, and treatment can be scheduled in close succession for international patients.
Private, Discreet Recovery
Confidential care, WhatsApp recovery support, English-language follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
What size stones does ESWL work on?
ESWL works best for kidney and upper ureteric stones 5-20 mm. Very small stones (<5 mm) often pass on their own without intervention. Stones over 20 mm or stones in the lower ureter respond better to ureteroscopy (URS/RIRS) or PCNL.
Is ESWL painful?
Mild to moderate discomfort during the shockwaves. Most patients are sedated and sleep through it. Some discomfort during stone passage afterward as fragments travel down the ureter.
Do I need general anesthesia?
No · TIVA or light sedation is sufficient for most patients. General anesthesia is only used in special cases (severe anxiety, certain anatomy).
How long until the stone is gone?
Stone fragments typically pass over 2-6 weeks. Follow-up imaging at 2-4 weeks confirms fragmentation.
What if ESWL doesn’t work?
If the stone doesn’t fragment or pass, the next step is usually ureteroscopy (URS/RIRS) or PCNL. We assess fragmentation at the follow-up scan and plan accordingly.
NON-INVASIVE KIDNEY STONE TREATMENT
NON-INVASIVE KIDNEY
STONE TREATMENT
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