About this Research Topic
The incidence of urinary lithiasis in childhood is progressively increasing in all countries of the world. Until a few decades ago it was an endemic disease in certain countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Turkey. However, today it is a pathology in progress in all European and American countries. This has led to an increase in the number of patients we see in our daily practice, as well as a decrease in the mean age of these patients. The challenge we face is to solve urinary lithiasis at an early age of life without complicating the future of these children, as well as potential sequelae. Furthermore, ideal treatments should not preclude further treatment in these patients who may develop new stones in the future.
Currently, the development of endourology and robotic surgery has opened new possibilities for the treatment of urinary lithiasis in children. However, the learning curve in endourology is difficult. In addition, endourology requires the use of multiple devices and surgical material that is not always possible to obtain in all countries. For this reason, there is an urgency to actively discuss which treatments are most useful and which surgical instruments are most necessary. Thus, this Research Topic is intended to speed the learning curve in the community in the most efficient way possible. Furthermore, given that access to robotic surgery is not within the reach of all surgeons and its long-term results are still unknown, through this Research Topic we want to collect experience from those centers that daily use such surgical techniques.
Authors are encouraged to develop papers aimed at assisting the medical community in determining the most suitable treatment for various types of lithiasis based on patient age, given that a kidney stone measuring 1 cm in a 6-month-old infant versus a 13-year-old adolescent necessitates distinct approaches. Furthermore, authors should delineate which types of lithiasis, considering their composition and location, are best suited for specific treatments. Insight into the relative complexity of endourological techniques for practitioners with varying levels of experience is also sought.
Additionally, expert groups in laparoscopy and/or robotic surgery are invited to discuss the long-term effects of these techniques on pediatric urinary lithiasis treatment and elaborate on strategies employed to mitigate such sequelae. Finally, contributions regarding medical treatments with the most scientific evidence to prevent lithiasis recurrence or progression are welcomed, with the aim of enriching the collective knowledge within the community.
Currently, the development of endourology and robotic surgery has opened new possibilities for the treatment of urinary lithiasis in children. However, the learning curve in endourology is difficult. In addition, endourology requires the use of multiple devices and surgical material that is not always possible to obtain in all countries. For this reason, there is an urgency to actively discuss which treatments are most useful and which surgical instruments are most necessary. Thus, this Research Topic is intended to speed the learning curve in the community in the most efficient way possible. Furthermore, given that access to robotic surgery is not within the reach of all surgeons and its long-term results are still unknown, through this Research Topic we want to collect experience from those centers that daily use such surgical techniques.
Authors are encouraged to develop papers aimed at assisting the medical community in determining the most suitable treatment for various types of lithiasis based on patient age, given that a kidney stone measuring 1 cm in a 6-month-old infant versus a 13-year-old adolescent necessitates distinct approaches. Furthermore, authors should delineate which types of lithiasis, considering their composition and location, are best suited for specific treatments. Insight into the relative complexity of endourological techniques for practitioners with varying levels of experience is also sought.
Additionally, expert groups in laparoscopy and/or robotic surgery are invited to discuss the long-term effects of these techniques on pediatric urinary lithiasis treatment and elaborate on strategies employed to mitigate such sequelae. Finally, contributions regarding medical treatments with the most scientific evidence to prevent lithiasis recurrence or progression are welcomed, with the aim of enriching the collective knowledge within the community.
Keywords: Lithiasis, Endourology, Children, Stone, Urology
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