Does tamsulosin increase stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy of renal stones? A prospective, randomized controlled study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of the selective alpha-blocker tamsulosin on stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) of renal stones.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A prospective, randomized, controlled study was carried out in 166 patients who underwent SWL for renal stones between January and December 2007. Group 1 (n = 83) took tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily and diclofenac sodium injection (75 mg) on demand. Group 2 (n = 83) took only diclofenac sodium as needed. Patients were on this regimen for 4 weeks or until stone clearance and were followed up for a maximum of 3 months. They were evaluated for stone clearance, time to stone clearance, colic attacks, need for analgesics and any side-effects at 2 weeks, and 1, 2 and 3 months.

RESULTS:

In total, 136 patients (67 in group 1 and 69 in group 2) were available for evaluation. The demographic profile was comparable in both groups. Group 1 had a clearance rate of 73% (49/67) versus 55% (38/69) in group 2 (p = 0.008). Time to stone clearance was significantly different at 1, 2 and 3 months (p = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.008, respectively), but not significant at 2 weeks (p = 0.52). In group 2, higher number of patients had more frequent attacks of colic and used more analgesics than in group 1 (p = 003, 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Nine patients (13.4%) in group 1 had ejaculatory dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Tamsulosin significantly increases stone clearance after SWL of renal stones. It decreases the pain and amount of analgesics needed, with a low rate of side-effects.

• Authors: Mohamed M Hussein
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology (Scand J Urol Nephrol) Vol. 44 Issue 1 Pg. 27-31 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1651-2065 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19947900 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Sulfonamides
• Tamsulosin

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney Calculi (therapy)
• Lithotripsy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Single-Blind Method
• Sulfonamides (therapeutic use)
• Tamsulosin
• Young Adult