Cystolithalopaxy
A cystolithalopaxy is the most common procedure used to treat bladder stones.
Bladder stones are hard deposits of minerals that form inside the bladder. Stones develop when the minerals in concentrated urine crystalize. This may occur when people have difficulty emptying their bladder completely.
Condition it treats:
Bladder stones
How we diagnose bladder stones:
A urinalysis is done to check for a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can contribute to stone formation or be the result of a bladder stone.
- A CT Scan uses X-ray to provide images to see the bladder stone.
- An ultrasound may be used to identify a bladder stone.
- An X-ray of the kidney, ureter, and bladder may also be recommended for the diagnosis of a bladder stone.
What happens during the procedure:
Cystolithalopaxy is a minimally-invasive procedure performed in the hospital setting. It is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The procedure uses a small endoscope inserted through the urethra. The bladder stones are identified and removed using a stone grasping instrument. If the stones are too large to remove, the surgeon may use a laser to break down the stones while they are in the bladder, then he or she uses a stone grasping instrument to remove the stones.
Recovery after the procedure:
After the surgery, the patient is observed in the recovery area, then prepared for discharge home.
After surgery one can anticipate mild discomfort including slight burning with urination. You may notice stone fragments or sediment in your urine.
You may resume normal activity as tolerated after surgery.
