Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy for pediatric bladder stones in a developing country

To evaluate our experience with percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy (PCCL) in Yemeni children with endemic urinary bladder stones.

Between January 1993 and December 1998, 117 children underwent percutaneous suprapubic lithotripsy in Arabia Felix Modern Hospital, Sana'a Republic of Yemen. The patients' ages ranged from 8 months to 14 years (average 3.7 years). Ninety patients (77%) were under 5 years old; 20 patients (16%) were between 6 and 10 years old, and 7 patients (6%) were between 11 and 14 years old. There were 116 boys and 1 girl. The stone size ranged from 0.7 to 4 (average 2.3) cm. Five patients had coexisting urinary bilharziasis and another 5 patients had coexisting renal stone. In 10 patients, the stone was in the urethra. The procedure was done under general anesthesia. Dilation of the tract was made under fluoroscopy. The instrument was an adult 26-french nephroscope, the same as that used for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Ultrasound disintegration was needed for stones of > 1 cm. A suprapubic catheter was left for 24 h, and a urethral catheter was kept for 48 h.

All patients became stone free. The average operating time was 15 (5-50) min. The average hospital stay was 2.7 (2-5) days. No severe intra- or postoperative complication was observed. The nucleus and/or the main component of the stones were ammonium acid urate in 109 patients (93%).

Based on our experience we can conclude that percutaneous suprapubic lithotripsy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of bladder stones in children. It reduces morbidity and hospital stay and thus the cost of treatment. Our series proves the nutritional etiology of endemic pediatric bladder stones. To our knowledge, this is the largest series reported on percutaneous suprapubic management of endemic bladder stones in children.