Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy Versus Flexible Ureteroscopy for the Management of Upper Tract Urinary Stones in Children

Factors effecting the success of retrograde intrarenal surgery in pediatric patients with renal stones: The experience of two tertiary centres with 368 renal units

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Currently, in the field of pediatric urology, the primary aim of surgical approaches for the treatment of renal stone disease is to provide a stoneless state through minimally invasive methods, and to prevent the damage that such stones may cause in the urinary system and stone recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIRS and the factors affecting its success in the surgical treatment of renal stones in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Data from 357 pediatric and 368 renal units were collected retrospectively. The recorded parameters were age, gender, location and burden of the stone, and presence of postoperative residual stones.

RESULTS

The stone location was the upper pole in 28 (7.6 %) patients, the middle pole in 44 (12 %), the pelvis in 98 (26.6 %), the lower pole in 139 (37.8 %), and multiple locations in 59 (16 %) patients. A stoneless state was achieved in 277 (75.3 %) units, while 91 units (24.7 %) had residual stones at the end of the first month. In the multivariate analysis, the development of residual stones was found to be significantly associated with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.123; p = 0.012) and stone location (OR, 3.142; p = 0.018).

DISCUSSION

RIRS is an endourological procedure with a high success rate in the achievement of a stoneless state in both pediatric and adult age groups, with an 82-100 % success rate reported in various studies. A full stoneless state was achieved in 277 (75.3 %) units after the initial RIRS in the present study, and full stone clearance was achieved in 304 units after the second RIRS session, with a success rate of 82.6 %. A limitation of our study is that it was not performed by a single surgeon, and stone samples could not be taken from all patients for stone analysis.

CONCLUSION

RIRS has also been associated with a high success rate in the endoscopic treatment of renal stones and is an efficient and safe method with a minimal rate of complications, especially in the pediatric age group.

Utilization of Flexible Ureteroscopy in Renal Stones Management in Pediatrics: Single Tertiary Center Experience

Objectives. To assess the effectiveness and safety of flexible ureteroscopy in children treated at our center during the last 5 years. Methods. Retrospectively, we have studied 41 children that suffered 51 stone episodes, and FURS for renal calculi <2 cm. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were gathered. Results. The mean age of the 41 kids who experienced 51 stone episodes was 9.6 [2.8] years (4.2-16 years). The mean stone diameter was 12.8 [3.3] mm (6-20 mm). The mean operative time was 79.9 [19.9] minutes. The mean hospital stay was 27.6 [12.9] hours. The SFR after the first session was 64.7% and 80.4% after the second session. The overall complications had been recorded in 25 cases (49%) with low morbidity (Clavien grade I-III). Conclusions. Pediatric FURS is a minimally invasive option with a high SFR and a low percentage of high-grade complications in the management of pediatric renal stones.

Comparison of Efficiency and Safety of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery and Micropercutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Pediatric Kidney Stones Smaller than 2 cm: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of two minimally invasive surgical techniques used for pediatric stone disease: retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (micro-PCNL). Materials and Methods: A prospective study was designed to include children aged <15 years with a single stone <20 mm. Sixty-four patients were assigned to undergo either an RIRS or a micro-PCNL (1:1 ratio). Demographic parameters, stone size, location, operative data, complications, stone-free status, and efficacy quotient were compared. Results: Due to anatomic considerations, seven patients were shifted to the micro-PCNL arm, thus resulting in 39 micro-PCNLs performed vs 25 RIRS in the end. Because of the deviation from planned surgery that was significantly higher in the RIRS group (p = 0.011), the analysis was done in a prospective cohort comparison. Stone-free rates were similar for micro-PCNL and RIRS groups (80% vs 82.2%). The operative (median 60 vs 90 minutes, p < 0.001), fluoroscopy (median 15 vs 30 seconds, p = 0.004), and lithotripsy times (median 15 vs 25 minutes, p = 0.007) were shorter in the RIRS group. However, despite the larger stone size, the efficiency quotient was significantly higher in the micro-PCNL group (82.1% vs 54.1%; p = 0.009). None of the patients experienced significant hematuria requiring blood transfusion, as well as no ureteral orifice obstructive complication was detected within the follow-up period. Conclusion: RIRS and micro-PCNL techniques in children have similar stone-free and complication rates. The operative, fluoroscopy, and lithotripsy times were shorter, deviation from the planned surgery, and the number of sessions under anesthesia was higher in the RIRS group. Despite the larger stone size, efficacy quotient was significantly higher in the micro-PCNL group.

Which is the best treatment of pediatric upper urinary tract stones among extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery: a systematic review

Background

Although the indications of minimally invasive treatments for pediatric urolithiasis are similar to those in adults, it is still crucial to make the right treatment decision due to the special considerations of children. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in the management of pediatric upper urinary tract stones.

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were searched from their first available date to March 2018. The studies that meet the inclusive criteria were included. The efficacy and safety of the treatments were assessed by means of meta-analysis of the stone free rate (SFR), complication rate, effectiveness quotient (EQ) and secondary outcome indicators.

Results

A total of 13 comparative studies were identified for data analysis. PCNL presented a significantly higher SFR compared with SWL. Similarly, the single-session SFR of RIRS was significantly higher than SWL. However, no significant difference was found between RIRS and SWL in the overall SFR. There was no significant difference between PCNL and RIRS in the SFR. Furthermore, no significant differences in complication rates were found among the three therapies. Compared with the other two treatments, PCNL had a longer operative time, fluoroscopy time and hospital stay. SWL had a shorter hospital stay, higher retreatment rate and auxiliary rate in comparison with the other two treatments. The present data also showed that PCNL presented a higher EQ than the other two treatments, and RIRS had a lower efficiency than SWL and PCNL. In the subgroup analysis of pediatric patients with stone ≤20 mm, the comparative results were similar to those described above, except for the higher complication rate of PCNL than SWL.

Conclusions

Although SWL as an outpatient procedure provides shorter hospital stay and reduces operative time, it has a lower SFR and higher retreatment rate than the other two treatments. PCNL exhibits a higher SFR and EQ than SWL; nevertheless, it has a longer operative time and fluoroscopy time than the other two procedures. RIRS offers a similar SFR as PCNL but a lower efficiency than PCNL.

Combined Laparoscope and Flexible Ureteroscope Pyelolithotomy Dealing with Large-Burden Complex Renal Calculi in Children Less Than 1 Year Old

Objective: To evaluate the experience and result of combined laparoscope and flexible ureteroscope (f-URS) pyelolithotomy in dealing with large-burden complex renal calculi in children <1 year old. Methods: Eleven patients (7 males and 4 females) <1 year old were retrospectively reviewed between December 2015 and May 2017, who had been diagnosed with renal calculi and received combined laparoscope and f-URS pyelolithotomy. The operations were carried out under general anesthesia. Patient' characteristics, presenting symptoms, operative times, and blood loss, stone-free rate, and postoperative complications were all collected retrospectively. Results: All 11 patients received combined laparoscope and f-URS pyelolithotomy. All operations went smoothly without conversion record and blood transfusion. Average time consumed was 109 minutes (55-187 minutes), and blood loss reported was 16 mL (10-25 mL). Average hospital stay after operation was 7 days (5-11 days). On mean follow-up of 6-12 months, no symptomatic urinary tract infections and urinary calculi were detected. Conclusion: Laparoscope combined f-URS pyelolithotomy is considered safe in the treatment of large-burden multiple renal calculi in infant patients with a high stone clearance rate. It has certain advantages in the treatment of renal calculi in infants <1 year old, and it could be an alternative treatment when other treatments fail or are unavailable.

Safety and efficacy of ureteroscopy and stone fragmentation for pediatric renal stones: a systematic review

Flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) is now commonly used for the treatment of paediatric renal stones. We conducted a systematic review of literature looking at the outcomes of flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy (FURSL) for paediatric stone disease. A systematic review was conducted in a Cochrane style and in accordance PRISMA checklist using MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane library for all English language articles in patients ≤18 years from 1990-2018 who underwent FURSL. A total of 11 studies reported on 431 patients, with a mean age of 8.5 years (range, 0.25-17 years). The mean stone size was 13 mm (range, 1.5-30 mm). The overall stone free rate (SFR) was 87% (58-100%) with a mean complication rate of 12.6% (n=55) (range, 0-31.3%) and 76% needing a post-operative ureteric stent insertion. Of the complications, Clavien I/II complications included fever and urinary tract infection (UTI) (n=19), haematuria (n=7), stent discomfort/stent symptoms/post-operative pain (n=8), voiding disturbance (n=2) and post-operative nausea and vomiting (n=1). Clavien III complications included ureteral injury which included perforation (n=6), urinoma (n=1), and acute urinary retention secondary to stone fragmentation (n=1). Clavien IV complications were urinoma (n=2) and no Clavien V complications were noted. Our review suggests that ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation for paediatric population is a safe and effective treatment with good SFR and a low risk of complications.

Flexible ureterorenoscopy to treat upper urinary tract stones in children

Development of surgical expertise and technology has affected the way renal tract stones are treated. Our hypothesis was that flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) for upper tract stones in children produces good results. Our outcomes were reviewed. A retrospective case note review was performed for children with upper tract calculi who were treated by FURS. There were 56 stone episodes in 36 patients. Median age was 10.6 years. Stones were 3-23 mm (median 8 mm); 64.3% had multiple calculi. Median follow-up was for 17.1 months. After the first FURS there was stone clearance in 42/56 (75%). Although there were no immediate complications, two required re-admission; one with stent symptoms, the other with urinary infection. A second FURS was performed in 11, bringing the cumulative clearance to 89%, although this was often done as "another look" before stent removal. There was no statistically significant difference in stone clearance after first FURS for those with single stones (81.0%) compared to those with multiple stones (72.2%). Clearance rates of more than 70% after first FURS were achieved with stones of up to 17 mm. Unexpected disease was found and treated during FURS in 9 (16.1%) children. FURS is safe in children and good clearance rates are achieved. Multiple stones at different sites may be treated during the same treatment. In addition, FURS allows diagnosis and treatment of unexpected problems.

Treatment of upper urinary tract stones with flexible ureteroscopy in children

INTRODUCTION

This single-centre, retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) combined with holmium laser lithotripsy in treating children with upper urinary tract stones.

METHODS

From June 2014 to October 2015, a total of 100 children (74 boys and 26 girls) with upper urinary tract stones were treated using FURS. A 4.7 Fr double-J stent was placed two weeks before operation. Patients were considered stone-free when the absence of residual fragments was observed on imaging studies. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 100 pediatric patients with a mean age of 3.51±1.82 years underwent 131 FURS and holmium laser lithotripsy. Mean stone diameter was 1.49±0.92 cm. Average operation time was 30.8 minutes (range 15-60). The laser power was controlled between 18 and 32 W, and the energy maintained between 0.6 and 0.8 J at any time; laser frequency was controlled between 30 and 40 Hz. Complications were observed in 69 (69.0 %) patients and classified according to the Clavien system. Postoperative hematuria (Clavien I) occurred in 64 (64.0 %) patients. Postoperative urinary tract infection with fever (Clavien II) was observed in 8/113 (7.1%) patients. No ureteral perforation and mucosa avulsion occurred. The overall stone-free rate of single operation was 89/100 (89%). Stone diameter and staghorn calculi were significantly associated with stone-free rate.

CONCLUSIONS

FURS and holmium laser lithotripsy is effective and safe in treating children with upper urinary tract stones.

Application of Pneumatic Lithotripter and Holmium Laser in the Treatment of Ureteral Stones and Kidney Stones in Children

Objective. Treatment options for urolithiasis in children include URSL and RIRS. Various types of energy are used in the disintegration of deposits in these procedures. We decided to evaluate the usefulness of URSL and RIRS techniques and compare the effectiveness of pneumatic lithotripters and holmium lasers in the child population based on our experience. Materials and Methods. One hundred eight (108) children who underwent URSL and RIRS procedures were enrolled in the study and divided into two (2) groups according to the type of energy used: pneumatic lithotripter versus holmium laser. We evaluated the procedures' duration and effectiveness according to the stone-free rate (SFR) directly after the procedure and after fourteen (14) days and the rate of complications. Results. The mean operative time was shorter in the holmium laser group. A higher SFR was observed in the holmium laser but it was not statistically significant in the URSL and RIRS procedures. The rate of complications was similar in both groups. Conclusions. The URSL and RIRS procedures are highly efficient and safe methods. The use of a holmium laser reduces the duration of the procedure and increases its effectiveness in comparison with the use of a pneumatic lithotripter.