Ureteroscopical treatment of ureterolithiasis in childhood. Our experience.

The purpose of this study is to present our experience with ureteral lithotripsy in ureteroscopy in children. Between 1996-2004, 105 patients aged 1,5-13 years with urolithiasis were treated in our department. Eight (8) of them with ureterolithiasis (5 in the lower ureter and 3 in the middle ureter) were treated with ureteroscopy (URS). The procedure was possible in all patients. The ureteroscopical approach of the stone and subsequent lithotripsy took place without major complications. There was a small difficulty to enter the ureteral orifice but it was overcome using dilations. On the other hand, there was no problem with the ureteral width. No stent was placed and all patients were stone free after 3 months. Ureteroscopy (URS) constitutes the golden standard for the treatment of ureteral lithiasis in children as well as in adults, as long as the narrow ureteral orifice is dilated with a guide wire. Pediatric ureter has good compliance and does not cause any problems to the whole procedure. The percentage of lithiasic children treated with open surgical procedures is less than 10% with a prospect for further reduction.