Percutaneous treatment of bladder calculi in children: 5 years experience.

INTRODUCTION We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cystolithotripsy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty children (27 boys and 3 girls; mean age, 6.06 +/- 2.64 years; range, 1.5 to 12 years) with bladder calculi underwent percutaneous stone removal. The mean size of the largest diameters of the calculi was 24.8 +/- 8.47 mm (range, 13 mm to 50 mm). Under general anesthesia, a 1-cm incision was made 1 to 2 cm above the pubic symphysis. A 26-F nephroscope was introduced into the bladder following tract dilation, and the calculi were removed. If the calculi were larger than 1 cm, fragmentation was performed. The procedure was done without fluoroscopy. Finally, a urethral catheter was placed for 48 hours. RESULTS All patients became stone free. The mean operative time was 23.13 +/- 8.38 minutes (range, 12 to 40 minutes). All patients were discharged 24 hours after operation, except 1, who was hospitalized 2 more days for suprapubic pain and severe irritating symptoms. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications were seen. CONCLUSION Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy is an efficient and safe technique for treating bladder calculi in children. We recommend this technique for treating large bladder calculi (larger than 1 cm) in children.