Revolutionary machine at West Suffolk Hospital ends kidney stones operations

Media invitation

Time:        8.30am

Date:         Monday 17th February, 2003

Venue:      Endoscopy suite, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds

On Monday 17^th February, consultants at the West Suffolk Hospital will for the first time use a machine which breaks up kidney stones without the need for an operation. Media are invited to attend.

The machine, called a lithotripter, focuses shock waves onto the kidney stones to cause them to disintegrate. The fragments are then passed in the urine. No anaesthetic, or at most a short intravenous injection, is required, and the patient does not have to stay overnight in hospital.

Kidney stones are mostly lumps of calcium, and can be very painful. Without the use of a lithotripter, they have to be removed surgically.

The lithotripter costs around £500,000 and will be used by several NHS Trusts. The West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust will initially use the machine for one day a month.

“We are delighted that we can now offer patients this service at the West Suffolk Hospital, so reducing the possibility of the need for an operation,” said Mr James Allan, consultant urologist.  “Kidney stones are a common condition and can be extremely painful, and using a lithotripter is usually by far the best way of getting rid of them. The machine can also be used to treat soft tissue injuries such as tendonitis and Peyronie’s Disease.

“Before the Trust had the use of this machine, patients had to go to London or Ipswich, and faced long waits. It is obviously better for patients not to have to leave the region. We expect waiting times to decrease significantly now that we can offer the procedure at the West Suffolk Hospital.”

Jane Williams of Honington will be the first person to have her kidney stones broken down using the new technology. She will be available for interview on Monday.

14 February, 2003