New state-of-the art machine enables faster, less invasive treatment for kidney stones
Patients being treated for kidney stones at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will benefit from faster, non-invasive treatment thanks to a new state-of-the-art machine.
The Trust’s Urology outpatients department has become the first in South Yorkshire to install a new Lithotripter machine to deliver shock wave lithotripsy. This involves using ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) and/or X-rays to pinpoint where a kidney stone is, and then breaking it up into smaller pieces with very low frequency, high-power sound waves so it can be passed out naturally in the urine. The Sheffield team will provide treatment for patients from Doncaster, Rotherham and Chesterfield as well as Sheffield.
The half an hour day case procedure is used to treat kidney stones which have migrated into the ureter and causing a blockage in the urinary tract, as well as stones in the kidneys. The procedure is non-invasive, meaning patients don’t require any anaesthetic or sedation, and can go back to their normal activities the same day. The new Lithotripter also avoids the need for patients to attend radiology for x-rays pre-treatment, as these can now also be done on the new machine.
Mr Jake Patterson, Clinical Director for Urology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer this less invasive and faster treatment for kidney stones to patients from across South Yorkshire. Kidney stones can have a huge impact on a patient’s quality of life and this new machine enables us to treat the condition as a day case, allowing patients to get back to normal activities very quickly. We have a dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist to oversee patients referred with kidney stones and the treatment area has also been renovated to provide a very tranquil space for patients to receive their care.”
Jane Midworth, Matron for Urology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: “The new Lithotripter will avoid the need for patients to attend radiology for x-rays pre-treatment, as these can now be done on the new machine. Together with all the other developments in the stone service it will enhance and improve the service that we offer to patients both in Sheffield and the region.”
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