Role of steroidal anti-inflammatory agent prior to intracorporeal lithotripsy under local anesthesia for ureterovesical junction calculus: A prospective randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the following study is to assess the effect of steroidal anti-inflammatory agent on the outcome of ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL) for ureterovesical junction (UVJ) calculus. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted at the Department of Urology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients requiring ureteroscopic lithotripsy for UVJ calculus were randomly assigned into two groups. The study group received tablet deflazacort 30 mg once a day for 10 days prior to the procedure, whereas the control group did not receive such treatment. Parameters with respect to the outcome of the procedure were recorded for all patients in both groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Fisher's exact and independent t-test was used to compare the outcome between the groups where P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: There was significant statistical difference (P - 0.016) on the endoscopic appearance of the region of ureteric orifice in patients receiving steroidal anti-inflammatory agent compared with control. Severe procedure related pain and mean operative time was less in the study group compared to control (P - 0.020 and 0.031, respectively). Re-treatment rates in the study group were lower than the control group (4.76% vs. 17.46%) and found to be statistically significant (P - 0.044). It is found that computed tomography (CT) appearance (r - 0.399) and stone size (r - 0.410) strongly correlate with the endoscopic findings of the region of UVJ (P - 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inflamed and or obliterated ureteric orifice is the major constraints for stone clearance at ureterovesical junction. The present study showed the administration of tablet deflazacort (a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) significantly improves the outcome of URSL under local anesthesia. We strongly recommend its use prior to URSL for UVJ calculus, especially for stone size ≥10.24 mm and on CT evidence of prominent soft tissue swelling at the UVJ.