Objective: To evaluate the outcome of different treatment plans for calculus anuria in children.
Patients and methods: Patients were subdivided into three groups, A, B and C. Group A included patients who were critically ill, had serum creatinine> or =3.5mg/dl, blood urea> or =100mg/dl, serum potassium> or =7meq/l and/or blood pH< or =7.1; and they were treated initially by peritoneal dialysis. Patients in groups B and C were stable with serum creatinine<3.5mg/dl, blood urea<100mg/dl, serum potassium level<7meq/l and blood pH>7.1. In group B, the obstructing stone could not be localized, and they were treated either by percutaneous nephrostomy or JJ stent. In group C, stone level was confidently determined and patients were treated by open surgery.
Results: Fifty-four patients were included. All patients regained normal serum creatinine levels within 72-120h. Overall complication rate in groups A and C was 26% and 13%, respectively. In group B, overall complication rate was 66% for percutaneous nephrostomy and 50% for internal stent.
Conclusions: Urinary diversion in children is associated with a high complication rate while dialysis is highly effective in children. Formal surgery in compensated children is associated with a low complication rate with good outcome and early recovery.