Abstract
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is often marketed as a non-invasive and absolutely safe out-patient treatment, and hence many non-trained medical professionals in India have acquired this technology. Presented here is a patient who developed a life-threatening renal and peri-renal hematoma after receiving 4500 shockwaves for a renal calculus. The treating physician, a non-allopathic doctor, carried out SWL despite the patient’s uncontrolled hypertension and anticoagulant drugs. The large expanding hematoma needed emergency nephrectomy. The patient died in the next 48 h due to persistent bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This case brings to light that proper training is needed even for such seemingly “risk-free” treatments. Also, legislations and regulations are needed to monitor sales of such vital equipment to non-qualified professionals.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
Yes
References
Knapp PM, Kulb TB, Lingeman JE, Newman DM, Mertz JH, Mosbaugh PG, Steele RE (1988) Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy-induced perirenal hematomas. J Urol. 139:700–703
Telegrafo M, Carluccio DA, Rella L, Ianora AA, Angelelli G, Moschetta M (2016) Diagnostic and prognostic role of computed tomography in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy complications. Urol Ann. 8:168–172
Knorr PA, Woodside JR (1990) Large perirenal hematoma after extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. Urology. 35:151–153
Reynolds LF, Kroczak T, Pace KT (2018) Indications and contraindications for shock wave lithotripsy and how to improve outcomes. Asian J Urol. 5:256–263
Willis LR, Evan AP, Connors BA, Shao Y, Blomgren PM, Pratt JH (2005) Shockwave lithotripsy: dose-related effects on renal structure, hemodynamics, and tubular function. J Endourol. 19:90–101
Labanaris AP, Kühn R, Schott GE, Zugor V (2007) Perirenal hematomas induced by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Therapeutic management. ScientificWorldJournal 7:1563–1566
Tailly GG (2013) Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy today. Indian J Urol. 29:200–207
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Consent for publication
Yes
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gadgil, N.D., Maheshwari, P.N. Ignorance Led Fatal Complication of Shockwave Lithotripsy. Indian J Surg 83, 1567–1569 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-020-02677-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-020-02677-y