[Pediatric Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy].

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal Shock Wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the cornerstone of pediatric urolitiasis management. We evaluated its efficacy and complications in a series of children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children who were managed with ESWL between 2003 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. We studied etiology, clinical presentation, stonefree ratio and relevant complications. SPSS 17.0 software was used.

RESULTS: 90 children aged 0 to 10 years (median 2.9 years) were included in the study; that accounted for 122 stones and 162 ESWL sessions. Mean follow up was 20 months. Mean stone diameter was 12.2 mm. (range 4-25). Most prevalent clinical sign was urinary infection (55.6%, 50 patients). 75.4% of the lithiasis were found in renal pelvis or calices. A mean of 1.42 ESWL sessions per stone was performed. Stonefree status was reached in 80.3% (98) of the lithiasis. This rate was higher in patients below 5 years of age (86.1% vs., 69.8%, p=0.03), and worse in staghorn calculi (66% vs. 87.2%) and cystine ones (30% vs. 84.8%, p<0.001). We observed 17 complications (10.4% among 162 sessions), 6 UTIs, 6 episodes of fever and 6 episodes of UTI associated with steinstrasse. Almost all complications were associated with bigger size, staghorn calculi and struvite.

DISCUSSION: Best results are found in younger patients and small calculi. ESWL is a safe and efficient procedure in pediatric patients.