Ballistic ureteroscopic lithotripsy in prepubertal patients: a feasible option for ureteral stones.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of ballistic ureteroscopic lithotripsy in children with ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children under 14 years with ureteral stones were treated with ureteroscopy in a 5-year period in our institution. RESULTS Twenty-three procedures were performed in 20 children. Mean surgical time, age and stone size were 31 min. (15 - 120 min.), 11 years. (4-13 years), 5.3 mm (3-10 mm) respectively. Three patients underwent two ballistic ureteroscopic lithotripsy each. There were 22 successful procedures (96%) and a 100% stone-free rate per patient. Complications (mucosal tear) occurred in 2 procedures (8%) without extravasation of contrast media on retrograde pyelogram and their follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION Ureteroscopic ballistic lithotripsy is a feasible option for ureteral stones in prepubertal patients, with high stone-free rate and few complications.