IN-SITU EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE LITHOTRIPSY (ESWL) FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY URETERAL CALCULI IN CHILDREN

Lithotripsy was used to treat 19 children (3 to 16 years of age) with primary ureteric calculi. No attempts were made to mobilize the stones to the kidney. Stones were located in the upper ureter in seven patie nts, middle ureter in three, and lower ureter in nine. Stone size rang ed from 5 to 25 mm (average. 10.4 mm). All treatments were performed i n the outpatient unit. Two children required general anesthesia, and 1 7 received intravenous sedation. The mean amount of energy used was 17 .8 kV, and the average number of shock waves was 5,489. Before commenc ement of lithotripsy, two patients needed ureteric catheterization, an d two had placement of double pigtail catheters. Of the 18 children wh o had adequate follow-up, 17 (94.4%) were completely stone-free, witho ut any complication. The authors conclude that in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective method for the treatmen t of primary ureteric calculi in children. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company