Surgical treatment methods of urolithiasis in the pediatric population

Urolithiasis in the pediatric population represents a major challenge associated with both the diagnosis and therapy of the condition. Over the past 25 years, the incidence has increased. The average age of pediatric patients with stones is about 7-8 years and the recurrence rate is 24%-50%. More than 80% of the stones are eliminated spontaneously. The remaining ones require conservative or surgical treatment. Choosing the most appropriate treatment depends on many factors. Surgical procedures in children are the same as in adults. These include extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterolithotripsy (URSL), retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and laparoscopic or open surgery. ESWL is a method of choice for the treatment of stones with a diameter of ≤20 mm located in the upper urinary tract, while PCNL is used in the treatment of deposits ≥1.5 cm located in the upper pole of the kidney, deposits of ≥1.0 cm located in the lower pole of the kidney, as well as hard stones such as cystic or struvite ones. URSL/RIRS is a method for ureteral and renal stones. Open surgery is indicated in cases when anatomical anomalies coexist with urolithiasis, or when the use of PCNL or ESWL is impossible. The ideal procedure should be effective, safe and allow the complete evacuation of the stones after the 1st procedure.