Lithotrity

(lith-ot're-te.) [From Gr. lithos, a stone, and teiro, I shatter.] (Surg.) The operation or art of breaking, bruising, or sawing the stone in the bladder. It was invented by the French surgeon Civiale, and first performed by him in 1824. This operation is so simple, attended with so little danger, and productive of so little pain, as to render it immeasurably preferable to lithotomy. The instrument used is called the lithotriptor. [s. 549]