Holmium:YAG lithotripsy in children.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the safety and efficacy of holmium:YAG lithotripsy in children.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of all holmium:YAG lithotripsy done in patients 17 years old or younger. Demographic, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected.


RESULTS
A total of 9 boys and 10 girls (26 stones) with a mean age of 11 years (range 1 to 17) were treated with holmium:YAG lithotripsy, which was chosen as initial therapy in 10 (53%). Retrograde ureteroscopy was performed in 15 patients to treat 13 ureteral and 6 renal calculi, and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy was done in 4 to treat 3 ureteral and 4 renal calculi. A complete stone-free outcome after 1 procedure was achieved in 16 children (84%) and 3 patients were rendered stone-free after 2 procedures. No patient had an intraoperative injury. Followup ranged from 0.5 to 12 months (mean 3). Followup imaging has shown no evidence of stricture or hydronephrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Holmium:YAG lithotripsy is safe and effective in children. It is a reasonable option for failed shock wave lithotripsy, or in children with a known durile stone composition or contraindications to shock wave lithotripsy.
Wollin
T A
TA
Division of Urology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Teichman
J M
JM
Rogenes
V J
VJ
Razvi
H A
HA
Denstedt
J D
JD
Grasso
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*