Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children: experience with 138 cases in a developing country

Our aim was to evaluate our experience with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in children in the Republic of Yemen. Between January 1993 and December 1998, 135 children underwent 138 percutaneous nephrolithotomies in Yemen. The patient's age ranged between 8 months and 14 years (average 8.9 years). There were 117 boys and 18 girls (male:female ratio 6.5:1). The stone size ranged between 124 and 624 mm2 (average 507 mm2). A 26 F adult nephroscope was used. The stone free rate was 98.5% (136 out of the 138 cases). Two patients had clinically insignificant fragments. A second session had to be performed because of residual stone in one patient. No severe intra- or postoperative complications were observed. We conclude that percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of kidney stones in children. It reduces morbidity and hospital stay and thus the cost of treatment. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series.