PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What technology is utilized to pulverize kidney stones, with 80% amenability to treatment?

1. Laser Lithotripsy

2. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

3. Ureteroscopy

4. Percutaneous Nephrolithomy

The correct answer is: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is the technology that is commonly used to pulverize kidney stones and has an approximately 80% success rate in treating eligible patients. ESWL works by generating shock waves that travel through the body and focus on the kidney stone, breaking it into smaller pieces that can be passed naturally through the urinary tract. This non-invasive approach is advantageous as it does not require incisions, thus minimizing recovery time and associated complications compared to more invasive surgical options. While other methods such as laser lithotripsy and ureteroscopy can effectively treat kidney stones, they tend to be employed in different scenarios or for stones that might not be amenable to ESWL. For example, laser lithotripsy might be utilized for larger stones or those situated in difficult anatomical locations where shock wave treatment may be less effective. Similarly, ureteroscopy involves direct visualization and instrumentation to remove stones rather than using shock waves to fragment them. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is indicated for larger or more complex stones and involves a more invasive surgical approach.