Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy for vesical calculi in children.

BACKGROUND: The majority of vesical calculi in adults can now be treated per-urethrally with the use of ultrasonic or pneumatic lithotripsy. However, the use of these devices is restricted in pediatric patients by the narrow caliber of the urethra. A percutaneous suprapubic approach to the bladder circumvents the problem of urethral caliber in these situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight children presenting with bladder stones underwent percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy (PCCL) between November 1989 and April 1996. The age ranged from 1.5 to 7 years. The stone size ranged from 0.8 to 2.4 cm. Seven of these were recurrent stones, and five of the patients were female. The procedure was done under general anesthesia, and the equipment was the same as for upper tract endourology. The bladder was distended with saline and a suprapubic puncture made. The nephroscope was introduced after tract dilation and the stone removed, intact if small or after fragmentation if >1 cm. The procedure was done without fluoroscopy. A suprapubic catheter was left in for 48 hours. RESULTS: All patients had an uneventful recovery following stone removal. The average hospital stage was 3 days. Here, the access provided by percutaneous suprapubic cystostomy has been combined with the experience gained in upper-tract endourology to perform procedures that would otherwise require open operation because of nonavailability of urethral access. CONCLUSION: Extension of endourologic procedures to the lower tract reduces morbidity and hospital stay and thus the cost of treatment. Percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy, in our experience, is a safe and cost-effective alternative to open surgery in children.