effect of tamsulosin on ureteral stones expulsion before performing transureteral lithotripsy: a randomized clinical trial

Prevalence of ureteral stones has been increasing, and has direct effect on patients' quality of life and the number of phases of renal colic which patients destined to suffer from it. this study aims to investigate the effect of tamsulosin administration before transureteral lithotripsy (tul) on the expulsion rate of ureteral stones. in this single-blind clinical trial, 80 patients who were diagnosed with ureteric stones and referred to ayatollah kashani shahrekord hospital in southwest iran were randomly divided into two groups. the first group was given the drug tamsulosin (0.4 mg day^-1) one week before undergoing tul, along with an oral painkiller (naproxen 250 mg every 12 hours). the second group only received the painkiller. we evaluated the two groups based on the rate of stone elimination, number of phases of renal colic, painkiller intake, ease of access to the stone at the start of tul, the need for stent ventilation during tul, and additional tul. the intervention group showed a significantly higher rate of stone expulsion compared to the control group (p=0.046). the number of renal colic phases before tul (p<0.001) and the use of painkillers were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.01). additionally, the stone expulsion in the first week was significant for the intervention group (p=0.034). based on the study results, it is recommended that the drug tamsulosin be administered before performing tul for patients with stones larger than 6 mm in diameter. this is because it not only helps the stone pass in many patients before tul but also reduces post-tul pain, shortens the procedure duration, and speeds up the stone passage.