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Thinking about sound wave therapy for gallstones? If left untreated, gallstones—hard particles that develop in the gallbladder—can result in excruciating pain and other problems. While cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, has been a frequent form of treatment, interest in less invasive techniques, such as sound wave therapy, has grown recently.
Sound Wave Therapy for Gallstones
High-energy shock waves, or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), are used in sound wave treatment to shatter gallstones into tiny fragments that may be naturally expelled from the body. This technology is an innovative, non-invasive alternative to surgery initially developed for kidney stones.
Pros
Non-Invasive: Sound wave treatment doesn’t need incisions as surgery does. This translates into less discomfort, fewer issues, and a speedier recovery.
Outpatient Procedure: Since ESWL is commonly performed as an outpatient treatment, patients may go home the same day.
Natural Elimination: Small enough to exit the body spontaneously via bile ducts are fragmented stones.
Cons:
Not Suitable for All: This approach may not correctly treat larger gallstones or many stones.
Possible Multiple Sessions: Some patients may need more than one session to remove all the stones.
Potential Side Effects include discomfort, blood in the stool or urine, and bruising at the treatment site.
Pricing
The cost of sound wave treatment might vary depending on the patient’s location, the hospital, and health insurance policies. As a ballpark figure:
United States: Without insurance, costs might vary from $10,000 to $20,000. The operation is covered by many insurance policies, although there are co-pays and deductibles.
Europe: Depending on the nation and its particular healthcare system, the cost to the patient in countries with universal healthcare might be much cheaper, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand euros.
Asia: The price may range from $1,000 to $5,000 in places like India, with private hospitals often charging at the upper end of the spectrum.
To get a precise estimate, speaking with nearby healthcare and insurance providers is essential.
Locations
Around the globe, large hospitals and specialist clinics provide sound wave treatment for gallstones. Here are a few recommendations:
United States: The Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Mayo Clinic are renowned for providing cutting-edge urological procedures, such as ESWL.
Europe: For cutting-edge medical care, Charité in Berlin, Germany; Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France; and King’s College Hospital in London, UK, are well-known.
Asia: This treatment is provided by the Apollo Hospitals in India, the Singapore General Hospital, and the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sound wave treatment offers an exciting option for those with gallstones who want to avoid surgery. The noninvasive nature of the process and its comparatively high level of safety make it worth considering, even if it has drawbacks and is not appropriate for everyone. A healthcare expert should be consulted before choosing to determine if you are a good candidate and to understand the possible risks and rewards better.
Do Not Get Sound Wave Therapy for Gallstones Before Watching This Video
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References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones
- The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG): https://gi.org/topics/gallstones