title: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is highly efficient and safe in infants and children under 3 years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in infants and small children (12-36 months).
  
  
  METHODS
  The PNL applications conducted in children <3 years of age in two centers were evaluated. Whereas pediatric PNL instrumentation was used in the first center, adult-size instrumentation was utilized in the second center. The complications were given according to the modified Clavien classification system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 22.76 months (5-36 months) and the mean body weight was 11.51 kg (6-15 kg). In twelve renal units, pediatric instrumentation was used and among these, two had miniperc. In the other eight renal units, adult-size instrumentation was employed. Except for the patient with complex renal stones, all patients were stone free after the intervention and none required a conversion to open surgery. There were grade 1-2 complications in 3 patients. The postoperative hemoglobin drop was greater in the children who underwent PNL with adult-size instrumentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this young age group, in addition to standard PNL, simultaneous bilateral PNL, tubeless PNL and in urgent cases of renal failure, urgent PNL, are safe and effective treatment modalities provided patients are selected properly and the surgeon performing the procedure has the necessary experience.
authors.affiliation: Selcuk University Meram Medical School, Akyokus Konya, Turkey. selcukguven@selcuk.edu.tr
authors.forename: Selcuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guven
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Istanbulluoglu
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piskin
authors.forename: Tufan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilinc
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ozkardes
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arslan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000601:surgery*