Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy Still Alive for Pediatric Ureteral Stones ≤1.0 cm 2

Abstract

Introduction:

This retrospective study compares extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) in pediatric ureteral stones ≤1.0 cm², aiming to determine the optimal treatment based on clinical outcomes.

Patients and Methods:

The study included patients with ureteral stones ≤1.0 cm² eligible for SWL or URS. Treatment choices were made based on family decisions. SWL was performed under sedation, with 180° rotation for distal stones, whereas URS was conducted under general anesthesia using semirigid/flexible ureteroscopes with Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy. Complications were classified using Satava and Clavien criteria, respectively.

Results:

A total of 230 children (median age:7 y/o, interquartile range 4–12) underwent SWL (n = 129, 56%) or URS (n = 101, 44%)for ureteral stones ≤1.0 cm². The groups were comparable in terms of demographic characteristics. SWL and URS had comparable stone-free rates (85% vs 80, p = 0.276), and there was no difference according to the location. However, URS had a higher overall complication rate (16% vs 4%, p = 0.005). Complication rates were significantly higher for distal stones treated with URS (p = 0.009), whereas stone-free rates were similar between proximal (p = 0.821) and distal stones (p = 0.332). Logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender and stone burden were significant factors in achieving overall stone-free status. When stone-free outcomes were evaluated based on stone location, female gender and a history of previous minimally invasive stone intervention were also found to be influential predictors.

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that SWL and URS provide comparable efficacy in stone clearance, but URS is associated with a higher complication rate, particularly for distal ureteral stones. Additionally, our data suggest that SWL remains a preferable first-line option, particularly for stones ≤1.0 cm², whereas URS might be reserved for cases with larger stone burdens or prior treatment failures.