©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026.
World J Clin Pediatr. Mar 9, 2026; 15(1): 115147
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.115147
Published online Mar 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.115147
Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population (n = 250), n (%)/mean ± SD
| Parameter | Value |
| Mean age (years) | 9.8 ± 4.1 |
| Gender | |
| Boys | 135 (54) |
| Girls | 115 (46) |
| Stone location | |
| Distal ureter | 76 (30.4) |
| Mid-ureter | 70 (28) |
| Proximal ureter | 104 (41.6) |
| Mean stone size (mm) | 10.2 ± 0.1 |
| Fragmentation method | |
| Laser lithotripsy | 145 (58) |
| Pneumatic lithotripsy | 105 (42) |
| Stone-free rate (%) | 92 |
| Complication rate | 31 (12.4) |
| Average surgery duration (minutes) | 42.8 ± 16.3 |
| Laser lithotripsy | 40.5 ± 18.5 |
| Pneumatic lithotripsy | 45.1 ± 11.3 |
| Stent placement rate | 30 (12) |
| Mean hospital stay (days) | 2.3 ± 0.5 |
Table 2 Stone size and location distribution (n = 250)
Table 3 Comparison of endoscopic ureterolithotripsy outcomes by stone location
| Parameter | Proximal (n = 104) | Mid-ureter (n = 70) | Distal (n = 76) | P (ANOVA) | P (Tukey post hoc) |
| Stone size (mm) | 10.2 ± 1.3 | 9.2 ± 1.3 | 10.6 ± 1.2 | 0.03 | Mid vs distal (P < 0.05) |
| Stone-free rate (%) | 91 | 89 | 94 | 0.07 | - |
| Operative time (minutes) | 44.5 ± 12.3 | 42.1 ± 11.8 | 41.0 ± 10.9 | 0.10 | - |
| Complication rate (%) | 10.5 | 11.3 | 9.2 | 0.74 | - |
| Hospital stay (days) | 2.4 ± 0.5 | 2.3 ± 0.5 | 2.2 ± 0.4 | 0.20 | - |
Table 4 Comparison of laser vs pneumatic lithotripsy
| Parameter | Laser lithotripsy (n = 145) | Pneumatic lithotripsy (n = 105) | P value |
| Stone-free rate (%) | 92.4 | 91.4 | 0.08 |
| Operative time (minutes) | 40.5 ± 18.5 | 45.1 ± 11.3 | 0.10 |
| Complication rate | 10.3% (15/145) | 15.2% (16/105) | 0.25 |
| Hospital stay (days) | 2.4 ± 0.6 | 2.2 ± 0.4 | 0.20 |
Table 5 Comparison of endoscopic ureterolithotripsy outcomes by age group
| Parameter | 4-7 years (n = 19) | 8-10 years (n = 40) | 11-14 years (n = 75) | 15-18 years (n = 116) | P (ANOVA) | P (Tukey post hoc) |
| Stone-free rate (%) | 89 | 91 | 94 | 96 | 0.12 | - |
| Operative time (minutes) | 49.3 ± 12.5 | 45.8 ± 10.2 | 41.2 ± 9.8 | 39.5 ± 8.7 | 0.03 | 4-7 vs 15-18 (P < 0.05) |
| Complication rate (%) | 15.5 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 5.7 | 0.02 | 4-7 vs 11-14, 15-18 (P < 0.05) |
| Hospital stay (days) | 2.6 ± 0.7 | 2.4 ± 0.5 | 2.2 ± 0.5 | 2.0 ± 0.4 | 0.04 | 4-7 vs 15-18 (P < 0.05) |
Table 6 Intraoperative and postoperative complications by age group (n = 31), n (%)
| Complication | 4-7 years (n = 19) | 8-10 years (n = 40) | 11-14 years (n = 75) | 15-18 years (n = 116) | Total |
| Intraoperative events (n = 11) | |||||
| Stone migration | 1 (0.4) | 1 (0.4) | 1 (0.4) | – | 3 (1.2) |
| Retrograde access failure | 2 (0.8) | – | – | – | 2 (0.8) |
| Bleeding | 1 (0.4) | – | – | – | 1 (0.4) |
| Ureteral perforation | 1 (0.4) | – | 1 (0.4) | 1 (0.4) | 3 (1.2) |
| Conversion to open surgery | 1 (0.4) | – | – | – | 1 (0.4) |
| Mucosal injury | 1 (0.4) | – | – | – | 1 (0.4) |
| Subtotal intraoperative | 7 (2.8) | 1 (0.4) | 2 (0.8) | 1 (0.4) | 11 (4.4) |
| Postoperative events (n = 20) | |||||
| Residual fragments ≥ 5 mm (ESWL performed) | 7 (2.8) | 4 (1.6) | 5 (2.0) | 4 (1.6) | 20 (8.0) |
| Total complications | 14 (5.6) | 5 (2.0) | 7 (2.8) | 5 (2.0) | 31 (12.4) |
Table 7 Postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (n = 21)
| Clavien-Dindo grade | Event | n (%) | Anesthesia/management |
| IIIa | ESWL for residual fragments | 20 (8.0) | Sedation/ataralgesia |
| IIIb | Ureteral reimplantation (open conversion) | 1 (0.4) | General anesthesia |
| Total | 21 (8.4) |
- Citation: Khudaybergenov U, Shomarufov A, Abdukarimov O, Nadjimitdinov Y. Efficacy and safety of semirigid ureterolithotripsy in pediatric urolithiasis: Retrospective analysis from a tertiary center. World J Clin Pediatr 2026; 15(1): 115147
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2219-2808/full/v15/i1/115147.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5409/wjcp.v15.i1.115147