Cystolitholapaxy is a surgical procedure used to treat bladder stones, which are solid minerals that can form inside the bladder. During cystolitholapaxy, a device called a cystoscope is inserted into the bladder to detect a stone or stones in the bladder. A cystoscope is like a tiny telescope. The laser is used to break up the stones into smaller pieces that are removed.
Types of cystolitholapaxy procedures
There are two different processes of cystolitholapaxy:
-Transurethral cystolitholapaxy: This is a surgical procedure that is widely used to treat bladder stones in adults. It is performed under anesthesia. The cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra and the stones are removed.
-Percutaneous suprapubic cystolitholapaxy: This procedure is used in cases where transurethral cystolitholapaxy may not be suitable or effective. Surgery is performed under anesthesia. The procedure requires a single cut (about 1cm) on the skin below the abdomen and a telescope tube is inserted into the cystoscope and the stones are removed.
Percutaneous suprapubic cystolitholapaxy is the preferred method for treating children with stones in the bladder. The urethra is small in children and very difficult to insert a cystoscope. This procedure is also used for adults with large stones in the bladder.
