Efficiency of Tamsulosin after Shockwave Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Lower Ureteric Stone: Alkaramah Teaching Hospital Experience, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Stone disease is a wide health problem; certain drugs have been used as supplement with ESWL for the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated lower ureteric stone like Nefidipine, Alfuzosin and Tamsulosin. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Tamsulosin for the treatment of lower ureteric stone of 5 - 10 mm diameter after ESWL. Methods: A total of 105 patients with lower ureteric stone of less than 10 mm diameters were divided into two groups. Group 1 including 48 patients received 0.4 mg Tamsulosin and diclofenac sodium analgesia as needed immediately after ESWL and continued until stone expulsion was confirmed up to maximum of 30 days. Group 2 including 47 patients was given diclofenac sodium only as needed after ESWL. Result: 46 of 49 patients in group 1 and 44 of 48 patients in group 2 ultimately passed stones. The number of ESWL sessions was 1.4 ± 0.6 in group 1 & 1.42 ± 0.75 in group 2. There were 10 patients who needed analgesia after ESWL in group 1 and 17 patients in group 2. Visual analogue scale pain severity score was 5.32 ± 1.23 and 6.41 ± 1.26 in group 1 and 2, respectively. The time to stone expulsion in group 1 and 2 was 8 ± 5.4 days and 12 ± 10.3 days, respectively. No significant complications or side effects occurred. Conclusion: The use of Tamsulosin in combination with ESWL in patients with lower ureteric stone of 5 - 10 mm was effective for reducing the time to stone expulsion, decreasing need for analgesia, and facilitating stone passage without significant improvement in stone free rate.