Simultaneous bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children: no need to delay

Abstract

Background and purpose: Children with bilateral kidney stones are generally treated using staged percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Reports related to simultaneous bilateral PCNL (SBPCNL) in children are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBPCNL in children.

Patients and methods: The children who underwent SBPCNL applications between January 2007 and February 2010 in our clinic were evaluated. Patient data were collected from the retrospective reviews of hospital records.

Results: SBPCNL was conducted in five patients for bilateral renal stones. The mean age of the patients was 6.28 years (range 0.75-15 y), and the mean follow-up was 10.6 months (range 1-36 mos). The mean renal stone burden was 19 mm (range 11-22 mm). Four children underwent bilateral standard PCNL, and one child underwent bilateral tubeless PCNL. The mean duration of SBPCNL was 75 minutes (range 55-120 min), and the hospitalization time was 4 days (range 2-5 d). No blood transfusion was necessary in any patient. Except for the patient with complex renal stones, all patients were stone free after the intervention, and none needed a conversion to open surgery.

Conclusion: SBPCNL is a safe and effective procedure in children if they are selected properly and if the surgeon has sufficient experience with the procedure. More studies with a higher number of participants are needed, however, for further evaluation of the procedure.