Flexible Ureteroscopy with Laser Lithotripsy versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Management of Ureteric Stones in Pediatric Age Group

Abstract

Background: pediatric stone disease is one of the most common urological issues in pediatric urology practice. The incidence of urinary stone disease is increasing in children in last decades. Aim of the Work: determination of the efficacy and outcome of flexible ureteroscopy using holmium Yttrium aluminium garne laser lithotripsy and compare its results with that of Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy EWSL in management of ureteric stones in pediatric age group. Patients and Methods: this study included 40 patients in pediatric age group. Complaining of upper ureteric stones less than (1cm). Patients underwent either ESWL or Flexible Ureteroscopy randomly according to 1: 1 ratio. The procedures were done at Eldemerdash hospital and National Institute of Urology and Nephrology. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A: Patients undergone extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Group B: Patients received flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. Results: there was no statistically significant difference found between the two studied groups regarding age, sex, size and BMI, and stone free rate. Also there was highly statistically significant difference as regard hospital stay. The SWL group required a shorter period of hospitalization and there was highly statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding duration of the procedure which is more prolonged in flexible group. Conclusion: flexible URS lithotripsy and laser are considered a safe, highly efficient, minimally invasive, and reproducible surgery technique -with a higher stone free rates and less postoperative complications, after a single procedure, when compared to ESWL- for management of upper ureteric calculi in children after failure of ESWL.