Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal calculi in children

Fifteen children (8 male and 7 female) with an age range of 18 months to 15 years were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the Siemens Lithostar. Two children had a history of metabolic stone disease and 1 child had previously undergone open stone surgery. Four children were treated with a ureteric stent in place and 1 nephrostomy was inserted before treatment. All children were treated under general anaesthesia and all of the stones treated were confined to the kidney and ranged in size from 5 mm to a complete staghorn. The number of treatments ranged from 1 to 6 and generator voltage ranged from 16 to 19 kV with a maximum number of 30,000 shocks to a complete staghorn. Complications were minimal, with 3 children presenting with colic, 1 child requiring a stent and none requiring a nephrostomy after treatment. The overall stone clearance rate at 3 months was 65%. ESWL provides an effective treatment for selected calculi in children. In the short term, complications are minimal but the long-term effects on children need to be monitored.