Review for urolithiasis in patients attending the pediatric surgery unit at Al Qadisiya governorate -Iraq

ABSTRACT

Pediatric urolithiasis is an uncommon occurrence in developed countries, with a prevalence of l%-5% accounting for about 1 in 1000 pediatric hospital admissions in North America. Though a rare pathology, there is a high degree of morbidity associated with pediatric urolithiasis. To report the pattern and the outcome of to treatment modality [open surgery] in children with urinary stone disease. This study was conducted in the pediatric surgery unit at the maternity and Qicld Teaching hospital in Al-Qadisiya governorate-lraq during the period from the 1st of January 2005 to the end of December 2008, a total of 46 patients, admitted through this single unit, were included in this study and prospectively reviewed. 46 children with urolithiasis were observed 34 [73.9%] were males and 12 [26%] were females male to female ratio was 2.81. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 14 years with a mean age of 5.5 years. Pediatric patients with stones present in a manner similar to adults. Primary care physicians need to be highly suspicious of stone disease in a patient presenting with flank or abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms. Pyelolithotomy was done in 22 patients [47.8%] and ureterolithotomy in 7 patients [15.2%]. Pyelonephrolithotomy, extended pyelolithotomy with pyeloplasty were performed in 3 cases [6.2%] each being in one case. Traditional open surgery may be preferred treatment for pediatric urolithiasis in expert hands with excellent stone clearance and minimal complications