Publication:

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in paediatric age group: our 3 year experience in Western Rajasthan

Background Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become a well-established procedure for the management of pediatric renal calculi. Paediatric PCNL has been performed using both adult and paediatric instruments.

Objectives To evaluate the safety, efficacy and complications using the Modified Clavien scoring system (MCSS) in children undergoing PCNL using adult sized instruments.

Methods All patients less than 16 years old were analyzed retrospectively in Western Rajasthan undergoing PCNL procedure at Dr. SN Medical College and Hospital from April 2016 to March 2019. All PCNL procedures were performed in prone position under general anaesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance and using adult size instruments. All the demographics, surgical data and perioperative information were collected.

Results Total 112 patients with 120 renal units (8 patients with bilateral stones), (66 boys and 46 girls), with a mean (range) age was 10.01±4.02 (2-16) years. The mean (range) stone size in our study was 28.94±1.10 (20-50 mm). Overall, stone-free rate after PCNL was 95%. Twenty five (25) children (20.8%) had operative complications; 23/25 (92%) had, Clavien grade I in 15 (60%), grade II in 8(32%) and all managed conservatively. 2 patients had hydropneumothorax, managed with ICD tube. Stone size, operative duration and haemoglobin drop were significantly associated with complications on Univariate analysis (p<0.05).

Conclusions In paedriatric age group PCNL is considered safe with MCSS showing grade I and grade II complications in majority (92%) of patients.