Does child's age affect interval to stone-free status after SWL? A critical analysis

Objective: To evaluate the success rates and complications of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in children with renal stones in an age-dependant manner. Methods: From 2006 to 2010, 164 children (male/female ratio 1:3) with renal calculi have been treated with ESWL (PiezoLith3000 lithotripter). The children were divided into 2 age groups: group 1, 0-6 years old (n = 133); and group 2, 7-15 years (n = 31). The patient- and treatment-related parameters were recorded for comparative evaluation. The success of ESWL in terms of the stone-free rates, additional procedures, and complications were comparatively evaluated. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: The mean age of groups 1 and 2 was 28 ± 18 months (range 4-71) and 119 ± 28 months (range 73-178), respectively. Although general anesthesia was used for all patients in group 1, 29% of the patients were treated under neuroleptic anesthesia in group 2. During the 3-month follow-up period, the complete stone-free rate was 94.7% (126 of 133), and treatment was unsuccessful in 7 patients (5.3%) in group 1. The corresponding data were 87% (27 of 31; P =.222) and 4 (13%; P =.089) in group 2. The stone-free rate after the first session was 67.6% (90 of 133) and 38.7% (12 of 31) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P =.004). The mean number of ESWL sessions applied was 1.6 (range 1-5) and 2.9 (range 1-6) in groups 1 and group 2, respectively (P =.0001). No major complications were noted. Conclusion: Our results have demonstrated that ESWL is highly successful in the management of renal calculi in children. Compared the outcomes by age, the younger children become stone free more quickly than the older children with fewer ESWL sessions.