title: The efficacy of tamsulosin in lower ureteral calculi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been a paradigm shift in the management of ureteral calculi in the last decade with the introduction of new less invasive methods, such as ureterorenoscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies have reported excellent results with medical expulsive therapy (MET) for distal ureteral calculi, both in terms of stone expulsion and control of ureteral colic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a comparative study in between watchful waiting and MET with tamsulosin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a comparative study in between watchful waiting (Group I) and MET with tamsulosin (Group II) in 60 patients, with a follow up of 28 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent 't' test and chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group II showed a statistically significant advantage in terms of the stone expulsion rate. The mean number of episodes of pain, mean days to stone expulsion and mean amount of analgesic dosage used were statistically significantly lower in Group II (P value is 0.007, 0.01 and 0.007, respectively) as compared to Group I.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that MET should be considered for uncomplicated distal ureteral calculi before ureteroscopy or extracorporeal lithotripsy. Tamsulosin has been found to increase and hasten stone expulsion rates, decrease acute attacks by acting as a spasmolytic, reduces mean days to stone expulsion and decreases analgesic dose usage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Griwan
authors.forename: Santosh Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Devendra Singh
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pawar
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verma