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Kidney stones are quite uncommon in children compared to adults. The meat of the kidney produces pee (urine) which then passes into a funnel-shaped drainage sac called the pelvis. From here the pee flows downward to the bladder along a tube called the ureter. The pee is stored in the bladder and then passed out through a tube called the urethra which is short in girls but longer in boys as it passes through the penis.
Most stones appear in the kidney with the rest happening in the ureter (the pee tube from kidney to the bladder) or the bladder.
Urinary tract stones can be treated by an operation. These can be open surgery or keyhole surgery.
The choice depends on:
Your child is going to have ‘percutaneous nephrolithotomy’ for their kidney stone.
Before the operation, your child will need blood and urine tests which can be done from the clinic. This can be done on the day of surgery or at your local hospital.
On the day before or the day of surgery, your child will need an X-ray or ultrasound of their tummy. This is to make sure where the stones are and how many there are.
You will be told about your child not being able to eat or drink before the operation.
Your child may be admitted on the day of or the day before their surgery.
The operation is done under a general anaesthetic. It involves passing a small instrument called a ureteroscope from the front passage, through the bladder and into the ureter to see the stone.
Once the stone is seen, it can be taken out by making it smaller with a laser beam or by grabbing it in a basket. Once the stone is taken out, a little tube called a stent may be left in the bladder to prevent pieces of stone from getting stuck in the ureter. Your child may also have a catheter.
The whole procedure takes 1 to 2 hours.
After the operation, your child will be on an intravenous (IV) drip. They will be able to start drinking and eating within 24 hours of the surgery and then the drip will be removed. They will also be on a special drip for pain relief.
Your child will have antibiotics through the drip to begin with and then by tablets.
Your child may go home the same day or the next day. If a stent has been placed, this will be taken out under an anaesthetic in 4 to 6 weeks. The catheter will be removed the morning after surgery.
Most operations go without any problems. Risks connected to this operation are:
After leaving the hospital, children make a quick recovery and may return to normal activities within 2 weeks in most cases.
Your child will need to remain on antibiotics for up to a year following surgery.
Your child may be followed up in Sheffield or at your local hospital based on where you live and what you need. This may include an X-ray or ultrasound. More tests may be needed if anything is found.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact:
Caroline MacDonald
Consultant Paediatric Urologist
0114 271 7339
Prasad Godbole
Consultant Paediatric Urologist
0114 271 7339
Please read our resource for more information about risks of anaesthetics.
Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.
Resource number: PSU12
Resource Type: Article
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