JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children.

PURPOSE: To review the history of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in children, describe technical considerations, including advancements in equipment, and discuss future directions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed to evaluate the use of PCNL in the pediatric population, including historical background, indications, operative techniques, and outcomes.

RESULTS: PCNL was first applied to the pediatric population in the 1980s using adult-size instruments. Although there is still concern for potential renal damage in relatively small kidneys, initial investigations have demonstrated its safety and efficacy in children. Operative techniques are similar to those used in adult patients, but considerations specific to pediatric populations must be addressed. Modifications in technique including "mini-perc" access have reduced postoperative morbidity without an appreciable difference in outcomes. Technologic improvements, including miniaturization of endoscopes and advances in energy sources for stone fragmentation, have facilitated stone-free rates comparable to those of adult populations with PCNL monotherapy and sandwich shockwave lithotripsy therapy with minimal postoperative morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS: Technologic advancements and refinements in technique have facilitated the successful application of PCNL in the pediatric population. As a result, PCNL has now replaced open surgery as the treatment of choice for large stone burdens in children of all ages.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app