PURPOSE: Although laparoscopy is considered the mainstay for most renal procedures in adults, its role in the pediatric population is still controversial, especially for smaller children. We reviewed our experience in pediatric renal laparoscopic surgery in three pediatric age groups in an attempt to identify if age has an impact on feasibility and surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1995 to May 2006, 144 pediatric laparoscopic renal procedures were performed at our institution. The charts of these patients were reviewed for demographic data, urologic pathology and surgical procedure, as well as perioperative complications and post-operative outcomes. The findings were stratified into 3 groups, according to patient age (A: < 1 year, B: 1 to 5 years and C: 6-18 years). RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 4.2 years (42 days - 18 years). We performed 54 nephrectomies, 33 nephroureterectomies, 19 upper pole nephrectomies, 11 radical nephrectomies, 22 pyeloplasties and 4 miscellaneous procedures. The 3 age groups were comparable in terms of the procedures performed. Conversion rates were 0%, 1.4% and 1.9% for groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.72). Incidence of perioperative complications was 5%, 8.2% and 7.8% for age groups A to C, respectively (p = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Most renal procedures can be performed safely by laparoscopy in the pediatric population, with excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes. The morbidity related to the procedure was minimal irrespective of the age group.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of the cryptorchid testicle is justified due to the increased risk of infertility and malignancy as well as the risk of testicular trauma and psychological stigma on patients and their parents. Approximately 20% of cryptorchid testicles are nonpalpable. In these cases, the videolaparoscopic technique is a useful alternative method for diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present data concerning 90 patients submitted to diagnostic laparoscopy for impalpable testicles. Forty-six patients (51.1%) had intra-abdominal gonads. In 25 testicles of 19 patients, we performed a two stage laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. The other 27 patients underwent primary laparoscopic orchiopexy, in a total of 29 testicles. RESULTS: We obtained an overall 88% success rate with the 2 stage Fowler-Stephens approach and only 33% rate success using one stage Fowler-Stephens surgery with primary vascular ligature. There was no intraoperative complication in our group of patients. In the laparoscopic procedures, the cosmetic aspect is remarkably more favorable as compared to open surgeries. Hospital stay and convalescence were brief. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric age group, the laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible. Furthermore, the laparoscopic orchiopexy presents excellent results in terms of diagnosis and therapy of the impalpable testis, which is why this technique has been routinely incorporated in our Department.

Objetivo: cálculos urinários atingem de 5 a 10% da população em alguma fase da vida. Destes casos, somente 2 a 3% são crianças. O tratamento da litíase urinária na faixa pediátrica, com o uso de métodos minimamente invasivos, representa uma alternativa cada vez mais atraente. O presente trabalho objetiva apresentar resultados de litotripsia extracorpórea como tratamento minimamente invasivo de litíase urinária na infância. Métodos: no período de setembro de 1991 a setembro de 2000, foram tratadas e acompanhadas 87 crianças, sendo que seis delas tinham dois cálculos; portanto foram tratados 93 cálculos urinários. Foi utilizado o equipamento de litotripsia extracorpórea por ondas de choque, da Dornier-Philips. Resultados: os cálculos piélicos, caliciais superiores e médios foram fragmentados e eliminados na porcentagem de 87,7% e 77,8%, respectivamente. Os cálculos localizados no cálice inferior foram eliminados em 64,7%. Dos três casos de cálculo coraliforme, somente um ficou livre do cálculo (33,3%). Os dez pacientes com cálculo ureteral ficaram livres de litíase (100%). Os cálculos vesicais foram tratados e eliminados em 60% dos casos. Conclusão: a litotripsia extracorpórea demonstrou ser uma forma eficiente de tratamento de cálculos piélicos, caliciais, ureterais e vesicais em crianças. Cálculos coraliformes não tiveram bons resultados quando tratados por meio de litotripsia extracorpórea. Os resultados deste método foram influenciados pela localização e tamanho dos cálculos.

Objective: urolithiasis affects between five and 10% of the human population during their lifetime, only 2-3% of whom are children. Therapy of urolithiasis in the pediatric age group with minimally invasive methodology represents an attractive alternative. This study presents results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, a minimally invasive methodology, for the treatment of urolithiasis in children. Methods: in the period between September 1991 and September 2000, 87 children were submitted to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy; as six of them presented with two calculi 93 urinary calculi were treated over that period. The Dornier-Philips lithotriptor was used in the procedures. Results: pelvic, superior and medium caliceal calculi were fragmented and eliminated in 87.7% and 77.8% of cases, respectively. Inferior caliceal stones were eliminated in 64.7% of cases. Only one of the three patients with staghorn calculi became stone-free after therapy (33.3%). All patients with ureteral calculi were stone-free after therapy. Bladder stones were fragmented and eliminated in 60% of cases. Conclusions: extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment for pelvic, caliceal, ureteral and bladder urolithiasis in children. Staghorn calculi have not shown satisfactory results when treated by this method. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy results were influenced in our experience by the position and size of the treated calculi.