ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of tamsulosin and hydrochlorothiazide (Dichlozid) on the expulsion of ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients with a single ureteral calculi less than 10 mm in diameter were enrolled and divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n=40) received tamsulosin (0.2 mg/day), group 2 (n=35) received Dichlozid (25 mg/day) and tamsulosin (0.2 mg/day), and group 3 (n=57) was the control. Proximal and distal ureteral stones were evaluated separately. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of the rate and duration of expulsion according to stone size ( or =5 mm) for a maximum period of 4 weeks. RESULTS: The mean stone diameters were 4.9+/-1.7 mm (group 1), 4.8+/-1.6 mm (group 2), and 5.3+/-1.8 mm (group 3). The overall expulsion rates were 70%, 74.3%, and 52.6%, respectively, and showed statistical significance. The mean durations of expulsion were 14.7+/-1.6, 12.8+/-1.5, and 18.0+/-2.0 days, respectively, and group 2 showed a significant decrease in the duration. There were no significant differences in the expulsion rate of proximal and distal ureteral stones in any group. Distal ureteral stones in groups 1 and 2 showed a significant reduction in the mean expulsion time ( or =5 mm: 15.0+/-1.4, 13.0+/-0.6, and 17.8+/-0.4 days in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The mean expulsion time for smaller proximal stones (<5 mm) in groups 1 and 2 was reduced significantly (17+/-0.6, 15.2+/-0.8, and 19.3+/-0.6 days in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Medical therapy with tamsulosin is time-saving and effective for treating ureteral calculi. In addition, adjunctive treatment with Dichlozid may reduce the duration of expulsion.