[Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in children: our experience in 1995].

OBJECTIVES: The present study reviews our experience and analyzes the results achieved with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of urinary calculi in children. METHODS: From 1985 to 1995, 36 children, with ages ranging from 5 months to 14 years, were treated by ESWL, and in some cases by combination therapy (percutaneous nepholithectomy and/or ureteroscopy). RESULTS: Excellent results were achieved in 74.9% of the patients; of these, 52.7% were stone-free 2 to 90 days after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the treatment of choice in children with urinary lithiasis, although there are some exceptions. The method of evaluation and treatment in children are the same as in the adult patients.