Comparison of two different minimally invasive techniques used in bladder stone surgery for preschool-aged children.

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to compare the outcomes of mini-percutaneous cystolithotomy (mPCL) and transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) in treating bladder stones in preschool-aged children (≤6 years old).

METHODS

Twenty-four patients treated with mPCL and 28 patients treated with TUCL for bladder stones were compared retrospectively. The operative and postoperative outcomes of both groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age and gender distribution were similar between the groups. The mean stone size was 16.5 ± 0.5 mm for the mPCL group and 14.9 ± 5.7 mm for the TUCL group (p = 0.318). The mean operative time was 41.1 ± 9.9 min for the mPCL group and 39.0 ± 12.3 min for the TUCL group (p = 0.182). Catheterization times and hospitalization times were statistically significantly longer in the mPCL group (p = 0.000). The rate of urinary retention after urethral catheter removal was significantly higher in the TUCL group (p < 0.05). Reintervention was performed for one patient in Group 1 due to urinary leakage and for five patients in Group 2 due to urinary retention. The stone-free rate (SFR) after a single procedure was 100% in the mPCL group and 89.3% in the TUCL group (p = 0.099). After auxiliary procedures performed for three patients, the overall SFR also reached 100% for the TUCL group.

DISCUSSION: Both mPCL and TUCL are effective methods in the treatment of bladder stones of <30 mm in the preschool age group. Although TUCL has some advantages over mPCL, such as shorter hospital stays and catheterization times, there is a risk of urinary retention with increased stone sizes. It may be more advantageous to apply mPCL for the reduction of complications and reintervention rates, especially in small children with bladder stones of >20 mm.