Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Pediatric Stone Disease: A 15-Year Single-Center Experience with 2 Types of Lithotripters

We report our experience with pediatric shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) using two types of lithotripters: Dornier HM3 (HM3) and Dornier Lithotripter SII (DLS).

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of children who underwent SWL between 2002 and 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of the lithotripter: during 2002-2009, we used the electrohydraulic HM3 lithotripter which was replaced in 2009 with the DLS electromagnetic lithotripter. Clinical and perioperative parameters were compared.

Our cohort included 107 children who underwent SWL. Average age was 11.5 ± 5.1 years. Average stone size was 10.6 ± 4.9 mm. HM3 was used in 38% of children and DLS2 in 62% (n = 41 and 66, respectively). There were no significant differences in age, gender, stone size, or location between the groups. The total SFR did not differ statistically between HM3 and DLS (83% vs. 74%, p = 0.35). SFR after one SWL was higher with the HM3 (78% vs. 62%, p = 0.093). Re-treatment rate was 22% and 17% (HM3 vs. DLS, p = 0.61). Complication rates were low, with renal colic being the most common (HM3 10%, DLS 20%, NS).

SWL in the pediatric population using the DLS showed good results with low complication rates that are equivalent to the gold standard HM3.