Effect of perioperative selective alpha-1 blockers in non-stented ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for ureteric stones: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this studywas to assess the efficacy of perioperative alpha-1 blockers on improving the success rate and decreasing complications of non-stented ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for ureteric stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted at two high volume urological centers from September 2017 to December 2018. We enrolled 150 patients with lower ureteric stones. They were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A, underwent non-stented ureteroscopy using Ho-YAG laser for stone disintegration and received alpha-1 blockers for one week preoperatively and another two weeks postoperatively. Patients in group B, underwent non-stented ureteroscopy and laser and received a placebo. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were available for analysis at the end of our study. There was no statistically significant difference found between both groups regarding demographic data and stone parameters. The need for intraoperative ureteric dilatation was 32.7% and 51.6% for both groups A and B respectively with a statistically significant difference. The incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the need for analgesics were higher in group B with a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of perioperative tamsulosin seems to not only to significantly decrease the need for intra-operative dilatation and hence operative time, but also leads to a significant decrease in the development of postoperative LUTs, postoperative pain and the need for analgesia and hospital stay.