Initial experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in children.

The clinical experience is presented of 4 United States centers at which extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was used for the treatment of renal calculi in 38 children 12 months to 16 years old. Patient characteristics, treatment specifics and followup data are detailed. Complete fragmentation of calculi was obtained in 97 per cent of those treated, with a 5 per cent complication rate. This experience demonstrates that with proper safeguards, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be performed safely and effectively in the pediatric population.