RESUMO
Objective: to assess the efficacy of alfuzosin in accelerating spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stone
Material and Methods: sixty patients above 18 years of age from both sexes were randomized in two groups; Inclusion criteria was calculi =10mm in distal ureter [below pelvic brim]. Patients in group A were given 50 mg diclofenac sodium tablets twice a day, whereas, Group B patients received alfuzosin tablets [5mg] twice a day along with diclofenac sodium. Maximum duration of therapy was 4 weeks. Patients in both groups were given intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium [75mg] as required. They were followed up at one week intervals. Stone expulsion rate, expulsion time, analgesia requirements and need of intervention were recorded and compared in two groups. Adverse effects of drug were also recorded
Results: comparison of age, sex and stone size did not reveal significant difference between the two groups [p>0.05]. Mean stone size in group A and B was 7 .13 mm and 7 .64 mm respectively. Expulsion rate was significantly higher in group B as compared to group A [53.3% vs 26.6% p<0.05]. Mean expulsion time was 9.57 days in group A and 5.93 days in group B [p<0.001]. Similarly requirement of number of analgesic injections was significantly less in group B than group A [mean 1.3 vs 3.5 p<0.05]. Only one patient required intervention in group A No correlation could be found between stone size and expulsion rate in either group
Conclusions: alfuzosin facilitates expulsion of· distal ureteral stones <10mm, reduces expulsion time and lowers analgesic requirement