title: Is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in pediatrics a safe procedure?
abstract: Removal of urinary calculi is an essential element in the successful treatment of patients with urinary stone disease. The new generation of lithotriptors allows the treatment without the need for general anesthesia. The patients, often outpatients, have a faster discharge from the hospital with a reduction of hospitalization time and operating costs. Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is currently considered a safe technique for treatment of pediatric urinary lithiasias, with a low percentage of complications and subsequent surgical retreatments. But can we define SWL as a safe procedure in pediatrics? Herein, we will review the literature to justify SWL safety in children, focusing on important parameters as the insertion of preoperative stenting, side effects, and complications after the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Rome, Italy. daddessi@libero.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Addessi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bongiovanni
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Racioppi
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: PierFrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bassi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000293:injuries; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015607:Stents; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000628:therapy