Fluoroscopy-free ultrasonography-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in pediatric patients: a single-center experience.

Objectives: To present the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopy-free ultrasound-guided PCNL for the treatment of renal calculi in pediatric patients of all ages.Methods: 30 children with mean age of 5 years (6 months-12 years) underwent totally ultrasound-guided PCNL from March 2013 to August 2016. The pyelocalyceal system was punctured in prone position using only ultrasonography guidance, and the tract was dilated using a single shot dilation technique. No fluoroscopy was used during any of the stages of renal access. The procedure was performed using adult-sized instruments.Results: The mean stone size was 27.1 ± 8.7 mm. Mean access time was 4.3 ± 2 min. Mean nephroscopic time was 34.6 ± 15.2 min. Mean hospital stay of patients was 3 days (range 2-5). 21 patients were stone-free after the procedure (70% success rate). Only four patients out of 30 experienced postoperative complications.Conclusions: The results of this study showed that fluoroscopic-free ultrasound-guided PCNL in pediatric patients of all ages is safe, highly efficient, and minimizes potential radiation exposure risks associated with the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]