Phytotherapy as ancillary treatment after urinary stone lithotripsy in pediatric age
Paolo Caione 1, Amaria Salerno 2, Giuseppe Collura 1, Mauro De Dominicis 3, Michele Innocenzi 1, Cristina Martucci 4, Nicola Capozza 1
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Division of Pediatric Urology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
2 Division of Urology, Campus Biomedico University, Rome, Italy
3 Division of Urology, Cristo Re Hospital, Rome, Italy
4 Division of General Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Abstract
AIM: Small stone fragments (NSRF) may be observed after mini-invasive lithotripsy. A 3-components herbal extract drug was tested in young patients presenting NSRF to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients aged 6-18 years, treated by endo-urological procedures in 5-year period, were randomly divided in 2 groups. Group A received a 3-components phytotherapic composed of Herniaria hirsuta and Peumus boldus plus water oral intake for 12 days/month in 3 months. Group B had no adjuvant phytotherapy. Group A and B were divided in 2 subgroups, according to persistence of NSRF. Patients were evaluated after the endo-urological procedure (Time 0), at 3-months therapy (Time 1) and after 3-months follow-up (Time 2). Persistence or development of new micro-lithiasis, adverse effects and urological check were registered. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled (Group A=15, Group B=19). Two patients were excluded. In Group A, 6 patients were stone free at Time 0 and had no recurrence, while 7 patients (53.8%) had NSRF at Time 0, reduced to 3 (23.0%) and to 2 (15.4%) at Time 1 and 2 respectively. In Group B, 11 patients (57.9%) presented NSRF at Time 0, reduced to 8 (42.1%) and 7 (36.8%) at Time 1 and 2. The difference was significant (Time 1 p=0.006, Time 2 p=0.009). No adverse effects were reported. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The drug was effective in preventing new stones development and reducing significantly stone fragments persisting after endo-urological lithotripsy in children, with optimal tolerability and no adverse effects.
Keywords
- Arbutin
- Boldine
- Phytotherapy
- Pediatrics
- Umbelliferone
- Urinary tract stones
