RAZİYE ERDEN — MERSİN — A 15-month-old child underwent endoscopic kidney stone surgery in Mersin. Speaking to our newspaper about the procedure, urologist Dr. Yusuf Çapar said that advances in technology make it possible to treat kidney stones in children endoscopically without making an incision. Çapar explained that last week they completely removed a 10 mm stone from a 15-month-old child in a two-stage, incision-free procedure using an endoscopic system and laser technology. He added that they keep pace with advances in treatment worldwide and have obtained the equipment needed for such procedures. Dr. Dr. Çapar explained that because the 15-month-old child’s urinary tract was extremely narrow, a stent was first placed in the ureter between the bladder and kidney. Two weeks later, the team entered through the widened channel and used a laser to remove the stone that was blocking the kidney outlet and causing daily pain, without making an incision.
THE FAMILY WAS INITIALLY REFERRED TO A HOSPITAL OUTSIDE MERSİN
Dr. Çapar said: “The child’s mother had consulted several hospitals in the region without finding a solution and was eventually referred to Ankara. She was reassured when we explained that, with our experience and equipment, the operation could be performed here in Mersin.” The mother told us that travelling to another city would also have been financially difficult for the family. After the operation, her child's appetite returned and the pain disappeared, which made them very happy,” he added.
THE PROCEDURE CAN BE PERFORMED EVEN IN ONE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN
Dr. Çapar said post-operative examinations confirmed that the obstruction had been relieved and the stone completely removed. He added that advances in technology and miniaturized instruments now make it possible to perform minimally invasive procedures safely even in one-year-old infants.
KIDNEY STONES CAN OCCUR AT ANY AGE
Dr. Çapar noted that kidney stones are common in hot climates such as Mersin and can occur at any age, including from birth. Because stones in children may recur, their metabolic causes are investigated and stones removed during surgery are analyzed. He added that these measures help reduce the risk of new stone formation. Dr. Çapar added that these children should undergo regular check-ups and that families should not neglect their medical follow-up.