Dusting vs Fragmentation Laser Cystolithotripsy for Pediatric Bladder Stones (DUST-FRAG-PED)

May 28, 2026 updated by: Hany Fathy Badawy, MD, Beni-Suef University

Dusting Versus Fragmentation With Holmium:YAG Laser During Transurethral Cystolithotripsy in Pediatric Bladder Stones: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Bladder stones are a clinically relevant pediatric urological condition that may require endoscopic treatment. Transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy is a minimally invasive option for selected children with bladder stones.

This prospective randomized trial will compare two Holmium:YAG laser strategies during transurethral cystolithotripsy in children with a single bladder stone less than 3 cm: dusting and fragmentation. Children will be randomized to undergo laser dusting or laser fragmentation during transurethral cystolithotripsy.

The primary outcome is total operative time. Secondary outcomes include laser time, need for active fragment extraction, endoscopic stone-free status at the end of the procedure, ultrasound-assessed stone-free status during follow-up, intraoperative complications, postoperative urinary symptoms, urinary tract infection, need for postoperative catheterization, and hospital stay.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University Hospital.

The study will include children with radiologically confirmed single bladder stones less than 3 cm who are planned for transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy and are suitable for transurethral endoscopic management under general anesthesia. Written informed consent will be obtained from parents or legal guardians before enrollment.

Eligible children will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. Participants in the dusting group will undergo transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using low pulse energy and higher pulse frequency settings, with the aim of reducing the stone into fine particulate debris and tiny fragments with minimal need for active extraction. Participants in the fragmentation group will undergo transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using higher pulse energy and lower pulse frequency settings, with the aim of producing visible extractable fragments that can be actively removed when needed.

All procedures will be performed under general anesthesia in the lithotomy position using a pediatric semi-rigid ureteroscope. A Holmium:YAG laser will be used in both groups. The planned settings are 0.5-0.8 J and 10-15 Hz in the dusting group, and 1.0 J and 6-10 Hz in the fragmentation group. A 550-micron end-firing laser fiber will be preferred when compatible with the available endoscope.

The primary outcome is total operative time, defined as the time in minutes from insertion of the endoscope into the urethra until completion of stone clearance and termination of the procedure, including fragment retrieval when required. Secondary outcomes include laser time, need for active fragment extraction, endoscopic stone-free status at the end of the procedure, ultrasound-assessed stone-free status at follow-up, intraoperative mucosal injury or bleeding, need for postoperative catheterization, postoperative hematuria, dysuria, urinary tract infection, and hospital stay. Follow-up will be scheduled at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months with clinical assessment and ultrasonography.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
110

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Beni Suweif Governorate
      • Banī Suwayf, Beni Suweif Governorate, Egypt
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Urology- Beni-Suef University Hospitals
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Children aged less than 18 years.
  2. Radiologically confirmed single bladder stone less than 3 cm.
  3. Suitable for transurethral cystolithotripsy.
  4. Fit for general anesthesia.
  5. Written informed consent from parents or legal guardians.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Giant bladder stones more than 3 cm.
  2. Urethral pathology preventing safe transurethral access.
  3. Major lower urinary tract anomaly or neurogenic bladder.
  4. Active untreated urinary tract infection.
  5. Coagulation disorder or contraindication to endoscopic surgery.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Dusting
Participants will undergo transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using a dusting strategy with low pulse energy . The planned settings are 0.5-0.8 J and 10-15 Hz, aiming to reduce the bladder stone into fine particulate debris and tiny fragments with minimal need for active fragment extraction.
Procedure: Dusting Holmium:YAG Laser Cystolithotripsy
Transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using a dusting strategy with planned laser settings of 0.5-0.8 J and 10-15 Hz, aiming to reduce the bladder stone into fine particulate debris and tiny fragments with minimal need for active fragment extraction.
Active Comparator: Fragmentation
Participants will undergo transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using a fragmentation strategy with higher pulse energy. The planned settings are 1.0 J and 6-10 Hz, aiming to produce visible extractable stone fragments, approximately 2-5 mm, with active fragment removal when needed.
Procedure: Fragmentation Holmium:YAG Laser Cystolithotripsy
Transurethral Holmium:YAG laser cystolithotripsy using a fragmentation strategy with planned laser settings of 1.0 J and 6-10 Hz, aiming to produce visible extractable stone fragments of approximately 2-5 mm, with active fragment removal when needed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Operative Time
Time Frame: During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure
Total operative time will be measured in minutes from insertion of the endoscope into the urethra until completion of bladder stone clearance and termination of the procedure, including active fragment retrieval when required.
During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Laser Time
Time Frame: During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure
Laser time will be measured in minutes as the cumulative duration of active Holmium:YAG laser firing during the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure.
During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure
Need for Active Fragment Extraction
Time Frame: During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure

The need for active fragment extraction will be recorded as whether stone fragments required active removal using endoscopic retrieval maneuvers during the index transurethral cystolithotripsy

procedure.
During the index transurethral cystolithotripsy procedure
Endoscopic Stone-Free Status at the End of the Procedure
Time Frame: At the end of the index transurethral cystolithotripsy proced
Endoscopic stone-free status will be assessed at the end of the procedure and defined as no visible residual bladder stone fragments on final endoscopic inspection.
At the end of the index transurethral cystolithotripsy proced
Postoperative Hematuria
Time Frame: From the end of the procedure to 1 month postoperatively
Postoperative hematuria will be recorded based on clinical observation or patient/guardian report during postoperativ follow-up.
From the end of the procedure to 1 month postoperatively

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Beni-Suef University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Hany F Badawy, MD, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 6, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 28, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 28, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 28, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • FMBSUREC05052026BadawyDF
  • FMBSUREC/05052026/Badawy (Other Identifier: FM-BSU REC)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared. Only aggregated, de-identified study results will be reported. Individual-level pediatric clinical data will remain confidential and will be accessible only to the study investigators and authorized regulatory or ethics committee representatives if required.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Pediatric Bladder Stones

Clinical Trials on Dusting Holmium:YAG Laser Cystolithotripsy

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings