PEDIATRIC ANATROPHIC NEPHROLITHOTOMY

A 15-year experience with pediatric anatrophic nephrolithotomy was rev iewed. There were 11 procedures performed in 10 patients. Average pati ent age was 9.43 plus or minus 1.54 years (standard error of the mean) . Preoperative urine cultures were positive in 6 of 11 cases. Metaboli c or structural defects were identified in all patients. Postoperative morbidity was minimal. Adequate followup was available in 9 patients, for an average length of 4.6 plus or minus 0.96 years. Stones recurre d in 7 of 9 patients (78 per cent) but in 2 the new calculi were small and asymptomatic. Anatrophic nephrolithotomy can be performed safely in children but a high incidence of structural and metabolic abnormali ties predisposes these patients to recurrent stones.