Tag: Lithotripsy

According to the National Kidney Foundation, the type of anesthesia used for kidney stone removal varies significantly depending on the specific procedure being performed. The question, 'Do they sedate you for kidney stone removal?', doesn't have a single answer; the approach is tailored to the treatment plan and patient needs, ranging from conscious sedation to general anesthesia.

While extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure, a significant percentage of patients are put to sleep for lithotripsy with general anesthesia or heavy sedation. The primary reasons for this are not just for pain management, but also to ensure the procedure's precision and effectiveness. Anesthesia prevents patient movement, which can interfere with the accurate targeting of shock waves.