Urolithiasis in children: surgical approach

Over the past 3 decades, minimally invasive stone surgery has completely overtaken open surgical approaches to upper tract pediatric urolithiasis. Progressing from least to most minimally invasive, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are the surgical methods of today for kidney and ureteral stones. The choice of treatment modality is individualized in children, considering patient age, stone size, number, location, and anatomic and clinical contributing factors. The purpose of this article is to review these techniques for pediatric upper urinary tract stones and summarize outcomes and complications.