Kidney Stones in Children

This noninvasive, outpatient procedure uses shock waves to break kidney stones into tiny pieces so they can more easily pass out of your child’s body in their urine. An instrument is placed on your child’s abdomen or back to send shock waves to the precise location of the stones. Sedation or full anesthesia may be needed because the shock waves cause temporary discomfort. Your child will go home the day of the procedure and may feel some discomfort. It is normal to see small amounts of blood in their urine in the first days after the procedure.

For this outpatient surgical procedure, your child will be asleep under full anesthesia. A small, thin tube is inserted in your child’s urinary tract and used to locate and remove the stone. We use a special ureteroscope designed for a child’s smaller body, decreasing the risk of injury.

If your child’s anatomy does not allow the ureteroscope to reach the stone or if there is an active urinary tract infection, your urologist may place a small plastic tube, called a stent, from the kidney to the bladder. This allows your child’s ureter to open up, helps them pass urine, and aids in clearing the infection. If this is done, your child will have a follow-up procedure to remove the stone.

Large kidney stones may be removed through a minimally invasive procedure, which is performed with your child under full anesthesia. A small incision is made in your child’s back, and a flexible tube is inserted through cut to remove the stone. Your child may stay in the hospital for one night following this procedure.