See ((Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy))
Lithotripsy is a medical procedure involving the physical destruction of hardened masses like kidney stones, bezoars or gallstones.
With extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), external shockwaves are focused at the stone to pulverize it.
Ureteroscopic methods use a rigid or flexible scope to reach the stone and direct mechanical or light energy is applied.
Endoscopy can use lasers as well as various modes of energy delivery: ultrasound, electrohydraulic, and lasers.
ESWL was first used on kidney stones in 1980, and it is also applied to gallstones and pancreatic stones.
Guidelines consider ESWL a potential primary treatment for stones between 4 mm and 2 cm.