Efficacy of Tamsulosin for Clearance of Lower Ureteric Stones

Aim: To compare the frequency of clearance of stones with and without the use of tamsulosin in patients having lower ureteric stones. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial study conducted at the department of Urology, Sheikh Zayed Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore during 11th March 2011 to 11th September 2011. Sixty cases of lower ureteric stones, according to the inclusion criteria, were included in the study from urology outpatient department of Shaikh Zayed Hospital. The demographic information of these cases like name, age, sex was recorded. The patients, satisfying the inclusion criteria were randomly divided in to 2 groups by random number table. Group I (control) was prescribed analgesia (diclofenac sodium 50 mg 12 hourly). Group II (study) was prescribed tamsulosin 0.4mg once daily for 28 days or till spontaneous stone passage (which ever was first). Results: In group I the stone expulsion was seen in 11 out of 30 patients and in group II stone expulsion was present in 23 out of 30 patients. Treatment in group II showing a significant results in term of stone expulsion as compared to group I, i.e. p-value =0.0026. The average stone expulsion time was also significantly less in group II as compared to group I. Conclusion: Alpha 1 antagonist (Tamsulosin) increases spontaneous expulsion of small distal ureteral stones.