Pooled analysis of the efficacy and safety of adjunctive alpha-blocker therapy before ureteroscopy in the management of ureteral stones

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive alpha-blocker therapy before ureteroscopy in the management of ureteral stones. METHODS: The databases MEDLINE(®), EMBASE and The Cochrane Controlled Trail Register of Controlled Trials were searched between January 1980 and June 2019 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that referred to the use of alpha-blockers as adjunctive therapy before ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral stones. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for dichotomous outcomes; and mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs were used to report continuous outcomes. RESULTS: The analysis included five RCTs with a total of 557 patients. Compared with placebo, patients that received adjunctive alpha-blockers had significantly higher successful access to the stone (OR 5.44; 95% CI 2.99, 9.88), a significantly higher stone-free rate at the end of week 4 (OR 3.75; 95% CI 2.20, 6.39), significantly less requirement for balloon dilatation (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.15, 0.44) and a significantly lower risk of complications (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.15, 0.42). There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (MD –3.33; 95% CI –7.03, 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive alpha-blocker therapy administered before ureteroscopy was effective in the management of ureteral stones with a lower risk of complications than placebo treatment.