Kidney Stone Treatment & Lithotripsy

Dauterive Hospital in conjunction with Queen City Urology and The Urology Clinic now offers those suffering with kidney stones a more immediate solution to traditional treatment methods.

Previously, people with kidney stones had to wait up to two weeks for the lithotripsy machines shared by several hospitals in the Acadiana area to make a scheduled visit to a particular facility before treatment. Urologists typically prescribed pain medication to help patients manage the discomfort in the meantime.

Dauterive Hospital recently partnered with HealthTronics Inc., a company specializing in extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), to provide full time availability of the lithotripter, which will be used exclusively at Dauterive Hospital’s new “Stone Center.” Physicians managing the Stone Center include Dr. David Benson with Queen City Urology and Dr. Clyde Roy of The Urology Clinic. Both practices are located on the Dauterive Hospital campus at 600 N. Lewis Ave.

“This partnership makes Dauterive Hospital the only hospital in Acadiana to have a lithotripsy on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Alan Fabian, Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to bring this much needed service to our families, friends and neighbors in Acadiana.”

Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Other benefits include drastically reduced pain, recovery times and a low risk of complications.

“People don’t want to hurt. We now have the capacity to treat all stones, so there is no reason for anyone to go anywhere else to receive the treatment they need and the relief they so greatly desire,” said Dr. Benson, a Board-Certified Urologist.

This is great news for area physicians, as well, Dr. Benson explained, because physicians no longer have to wait for their patients to receive treatment. The service also provides relief to area businesses, whose employees suffering from kidney stones will be off of pain medication and back to work sooner, he said.

Lithotripsy uses shockwaves directed from outside the body to fragment stones inside the urinary tract. The stone to be treated is targeted with a real time X-ray. High-energy pressure waves are focused on the stone until it breaks into tiny particles, which can be passed naturally and painlessly in the urinary system.

“It’s better patient care and it’s quick,” Dr. Benson added. “This is a collaborative effort between my practice, The Urology Clinic and Dauterive Hospital to improve the care of patients with stones.”