Endourological management of pediatric stone disease: present status

How effective is ureteroscopy in the treatment of pediatric stone disease?

Pediatric ureteroscopy has been increasingly used to manage both ureteral and renal stones. Unfortunately, there are no current standardized recommendations when treating pediatric stone disease so the modality chosen is left to the treating surgeon. A review of the current literature on pediatric ureteroscopy was used to compile this article. For the purposes of this review, the majority of series include stones < or =1 cm. Ureteroscopy is considered to be first-line therapy in treating mid- to distal ureteral stones and is rapidly evolving as an acceptable first-line therapy for renal stones as well. Limitations do exist and include stone composition, location, size, as well as the unique anatomic challenges faced by pediatric urologists in terms of anomalous kidneys and/or reconstructed urinary tracts. In conclusion, ureteroscopy can be considered first-line therapy for mid- or distal ureteral stones, however, it shares a similar efficacy rate as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of renal calculi. There is a need for direct comparison in the literature of all modalities treating pediatric stone disease to facilitate guidelines that help treating surgeons choose the most efficacious modality offering the highest success rates with the lowest morbidity.

Status quo of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children

Paediatric nephrolithiasis is quite challenging in terms of management because of the smaller size of the urinary tract and the bigger risk for stone recurrence. Children bear a higher risk of metabolic and infectious causes of stone disease and a longer lifetime risk for recurrence, especially in cases of residual fragments. Complete stone clearance should become the absolute objective and clinically insignificant residual fragments should be avoided. Nowadays, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) arises as a logical first-line treatment option for considerable paediatric nephrolithiasis as miniaturization of endoscopes and advances in energy sources for stone fragmentation have facilitated stone-free rates. In this review we present the evolution of PCNL in children and we demonstrate its safety and efficacy. As appropriate instruments are available and relevant surgical experience is accumulating, age should no longer exist as a limiting factor for performing PCNL.

Ureteroscopic surgery for a large upper ureteral stone in an infant with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux

Pediatric urolithiasis is a relatively rare disease that can have lifelong consequences. The management of pediatric urolithiasis should be individualized with careful consideration of the patients' small body sizes, delicate tissues, needs for general anesthesia with every procedure, and risks of long-term complications. Miniaturization of urological instruments has made the treatment of distal ureteral stones by ureteroscopy in children more common, but there are few reports of the ureteroscopic removal of large upper ureteral stones in infants. We present a case of a 10-month-old female who simultaneously underwent ureteroscopic surgery and endoscopic Deflux® injection for treatment of a 22×10 mm unilateral upper ureteral stone and bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. We also review the current treatment options for pediatric urolithiasis.

Management of stones in childhood

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to report on the latest world literature relating to paediatric stone disease. Inevitably, because of the small numbers, the literature is limited and consists mainly of case series from individual centres. There is also a wide variation in criteria and techniques, making direct comparison limited.

RECENT FINDINGS

Changes in the incidence of stone disease are becoming more apparent particularly in female patients. Metabolic abnormalities can be identified in the majority of children with stones, and even in the absence of obvious physical stone, if detected warrant further follow-up. Data supporting the safety and efficacy of treatments for stones in children is improving constantly, but choosing the best option may be difficult on current evidence. Better long-term follow-up is still needed regarding adverse effects of treatment.

CONCLUSION

A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of stone disease in children, especially in the very young. After exclusion of anatomical abnormalities, metabolic evaluation is important in management and prevention of recurrence. Modalities for treatment are expanding all the time, but due to overall small numbers, and variations in the availability of technology, consensus views about treatment are difficult to agree.

Current status of ureteroscopic treatment for urolithiasis

Intracorporeal treatment of urolithiasis is characterized by continuous technological evolution. In this review we present updated data upon the use of ureteroscopy for the management of urolithiasis. Novel digital flexible ureteroscopes are used in clinical practice. Ureteroscopic working tools are revolutionized resulting in safer and more efficient procedures. Special categories of stone patients such as pregnant women, children and patients on anticoagulation medication can now undergo uneventful ureteroscopy. Routine insertion of stents and access sheaths as well as bilateral ureteroscopy is still a controversial issue. Future perspectives include smaller and better instruments to visualize and treat a stone, while robotic ureteroscopy is becoming a fascinating reality.