Monotherapy extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the treatment of staghorn calculi in children

Purpose: We evaluate the efficacy and parenchymal consequences of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) for staghorn calculi in children. Materials and Methods: From 1991 to 1999, 16 young patients 5.5 months to 2 years old and 7 older children 6 to 11 years old were treated for complete (6) or partial (17) staghorn calculi. Infection was the main factor of lithogenesis, particularly in younger children. In 21 patients the stone burden was more than 20 mm. All patients were treated under general anesthesia using a 14 kV. Sonolith 3000 dagger (14) or a 12 to 20 kV. Nova double dagger (9) lithotriptor. In 5 of the 7 older children a Double 58 stent was inserted before treatment. In the younger children group calculi were fragmented after 1 (11) or 2 (5) sessions. Of the 7 older children 3 required 3 (1) and 4 (2) treatment sessions. To assess the long-term effect of ESWL on the parenchyma, dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan was performed the day before and 6 months after therapy in 20 patients. Results: Of the 16 younger children 14 became stone-free (87.5%) and 2 had small asymptomatic residual fragments, Of the 7 older children 5 were stone-free (71.4%) and 2 required additional surgery. No steinstrasse or pyelonephritis occurred after ESWL and no parenchymal or ureteral lesion related to ESWL was identified on conventional dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy. At a followup of 9 months to 9 years all patients have normal blood pressure. Conclusions: ESWL as a first option is safe and appropriate for the treatment of staghorn calculi in children particularly in younger children with infected calculi.