Paediatric Ureterolithotripsy: Tips and Tricks – Experience at a Single Center

BACKGROUND: Paediatric stone disease is very common in certain regions of India. Traditionally, the endourology for the stones even in paediatric age group is managed by adult urologist and paediatric surgeons tend to do open surgeries. The nonavailability of paediatric size equipments and lack of training at the teaching and tertiary care paediatric surgical centers in India are factors due to which there is continued apathy of paediatric surgeons to endourology. The aim of this study was to discuss the feasibility of paediatric ureterolithotripsy for successful procedure. We introduced the paediatric ureterolithotripsy as per the predecided indications of stone size up to 15 mm in paediatric ureterolithiasis at a tertiary care center in rural set up. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients up to 18 years of age presenting with ureterolithiasis and not responding to conservative treatment or who needed endourological intervention were included in the study. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients underwent uretero lithotripsy (URSL) for ureteric calculus with more than 95% clearance rate. CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage paediatric ureterolithotripsy is quite feasible and effective in achieving the stone clearance in paediatric ureterolithiasis.