Management of ureteric stones in children: a comparison between pneumatic lithotripsy with Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy .Which is better

Abstract

Abstract Background When coming to discuss urinary stone disease in children, it seems that there are so many differences regarding etiology, incidence and the course of the disease as compared to adults. The introduction of semi rigid small caliber ureteroscopes and lithotripsy modalities using pneumatic and lithotripsy holmium: yttrium aluminum- garnet ( Ho: YAG ) laser lithotripsy has improved the success rate and decreased the incidence of complications of treatment of ureteric calculi. The aim of this study is to compare the use of Ho: YAG and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteric stones in children in our center. Materials and methods This is a prospective study that included 100 patients presenting with ureteric stones for the period from March 2020 to April 2022. The patients were randomized into two groups; group I included 49 patients with ureteric stones who were treated with means of Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy and group II included 51 patients with ureteric stones who were treated with of pneumatic lithotripsy. The outcome of the study was to evaluate the success of fragmentation and development of complications. Statistical analysis was achieved by chi square test and t test was used with a p value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results Fifty seven stones were treated by laser while 50 stones treated by pneumatic lithotripsy. The success rate of fragmentation was higher in the laser group with a significant difference (P value 0.032).The study showed a lower rate of complications among the patients treated with laser lithotripter. Conclusion Laser lithotripsy is an effective and safe method for treating ureteric stones in children. It looks that it is more effective in stone fragmentation and having less complication rate than pneumatic lithotripsy.