LOWER URETERIC STONES EXPULSION;

COMPARISON OF TAMSULOSIN VERSUS EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY (ESWL)

Abstract

Objectives: To compare Tamsulosin versus ESWL for lower ureteric stones
expulsion. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient Department of
Urology at Services Hospital, Lahore. Period: January 2015 to December 2015. Material
& Methods: Total 50 patients were enrolled in study. Patients were divided into 2 groups.
In group A, 25 patients received daily oral treatment of 0.4mg Tamsulosin for 28 days, and
in group B, 25 patients were treated with ESWL. A stone-free condition, was defined as the
complete absence of any stone based on plain abdominal X-rays observed and during followup
visits at the time of treatment of stone was noted. Results: The mean age of the patients
were recorded as 33.20±9.23 years. There were 40(80%) males and 10(20%) females with male
to female ratio of 4:1. Out of 50 patients, 16(32%) presented with hematuria, 3(6%) had fever
while 31(62%) appeared with no complication status. Out of 50 patients, 21(42%) presented
with expulsion time 08-14 days in which 14(28%) were from tamsulosin group and 07(14%)
were from ESWL group, similarly 19(38%) patients appeared with expulsion time of 15-28 days
in which 10(20%) were from tamsulosin group and 09(18%) were from ESWL group. Statistically
there is insignificant difference between the groups i.e. p-value=0.28 Ns. Conclusion: This
study suggests that the tamsulosin helps in the earlier clearance of stone fragments and
reduces the complications as compared to ESWL.