title: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus open surgery for treatment of staghorn stones in pediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We compare percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and open surgery in the treatment of staghorn stones in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the electronic records of children who underwent treatment for staghorn stones between September 2000 and August 2013. They were divided between Group 1 (patients who underwent PCNL) and Group 2 (patients who underwent open surgery). We compared stone-free and complications rates, need for multiple procedures, and hospital stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 41 patients (35 boys and 6 girls), with mean age 7.4 ± 3.1 years (range: 2-15). Of these 41 patients, 26 had unilateral renal stone and 15 had bilateral renal stones. The total number of treated renal units was 56: 28 underwent PCNL and 28 underwent open surgery. The complication rate was comparable for both groups (32% for open surgery vs. 28.6%, p = 0.771). Multiple procedures were more needed in PCNL group (60.7% vs. 32% in open surgery, p = 0.032). The stone-free rate was 71.4% after PCNL and 78.6% after open surgery (p = 0.537). A significant difference was observed in shorter hospital stay after PCNL (5 vs. 8.8 days, p < 0.001). Our study's limitations include its retrospective design and relatively small sample size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the treatment of staghorn stones in children, PCNL was comparable to open surgery in complication and stone-free rates. PCNL had the advantage of a shorter hospital stay and open surgery showed a decreased need for multiple procedures.
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: El-Nahas
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shokeir
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shoma
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eraky
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Osama M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Sarhan
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ashraf T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hafez
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dawaba
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Elshal
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ghali
authors.affiliation: Mansoura Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mahmoud R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: El-Kenawy