New machine will zap kidney stones fast

Mr. Rastislav Hejj, staff grade urologist; Miss Erika Hopwood, radiographer; Mrs Claire Stanway, radiographer; Mr. Wai Man Chow, consultant urological surgeon with the new Lithotripter.

A pioneering machine which can destroy painful kidney stones with just one treatment will offer fast relief for Rochdale residents.

The £200,000 Lithotripter machine is one of only two in the country and offers effective treatment for patients in less than an hour.

Kidney stones can be as painful as having a heart attack or going into labour and, if untreated, may result in kidney failure.

Mr Wai Man Chow, consultant urological surgeon with the Pennine Acute Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, believes the new equipment will improve the quality of people’s lives.

He said: “This is the simplest way of treating kidney stones as they can be one of the most painful experiences in life.

“Effective treatment will reduce the immediate stress of having stones and we can then investigate what caused them after they have been cleared.

“My advice to anyone concerned about stones is to appreciate the importance of a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.

“Drinking at least two and half litres of water a day can be one of the keys to preventing stones.”

Jonathan O’Brien, directorate manager for urology, said the Trust had previously used a mobile lithotripter — but that could only break the stones down after two or three treatment sessions.

He said: “When patients have stones in their kidneys smaller than 2cm, the machine aims multiple shockwaves into the kidney which shatter the stone.

“The patient can then pass the stone fragments without the need of a major operation.

“This new treatment is done as a day case under sedation rather than general anaesthetic, so it is a lot better for the patient.

“With the new machine, only 30 per cent of patients will need a second session.

“This is the newest fixed lithotripter machine in Greater Manchester and will be used to treat people from across the North West.”

The new machine has been installed at the Pennine Lithotripter Unit within Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.