[Treatment with shock-wave lithotripsy in children: our experience].

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the efficacy and complication rates of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the paediatric age group.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

From 1989 to 2000, 29 children (mean age 8 years, range 1-14) underwent ESWL for urinary calculi at our institution. A total of forty-four ESWL sessions were performed in 36 calculi and a previous double pigtail stent was inserted in 11 patients. Intravenous anesthesia was used in the vast majority of cases.

RESULTS

Complete removal of all stone fragments was achieved in 24 (66.7%) renal units after a first session, 6 (16.7%) after a second session. The rest of the patients became stone-free after 3 sessions in 3 patients, open lithotomy in 1 patient and ureteroscopy in another patient. In one case a watchful waiting was decided after the failure of the first session of ESWL. Mean hospital stay was 3.2 days (range 1-11) for each session. Complications appeared in 10 patients: 4 had renal colic, 3 haematuria, 2 fever and 1 subcutaneous hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

ESWL is a safe and effective treatment for paediatric urolithiasis so it should be considered the first-line treatment.