title: Tamsulosin for the management of distal ureteral stones in children: a prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Based on efficacy demonstrated in the adult population, tamsulosin was evaluated with regard to facilitating ureteral stone expulsion in children presenting with distal ureteric calculi.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized controlled study involving 61 children with distal ureteric calculi <12 mm was performed. The children were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (study group, n = 33) received tamsulosin and standard analgesia, and Group II (placebo group, n = 28) received standard analgesia and placebo. Patients were offered a closely monitored trial for spontaneous stone passage in the 4-week period prior to definitive therapy. The stone expulsion rate, number and duration of pain episodes, need for analgesia and possible side effects of medications were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed the study and none were excluded due to side effects. No significant differences were found between the groups for age, gender and stone size. Mean patient age was 8.1 ± 6.8 years. There were 25 females and 36 males. The stone-free rate was 87.8% in Group I (29/33), compared with 64.2% (18/28) in Group II. A mean stone expulsion time of 8.2 and 14.5 days was recorded for Group I and II respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical expulsion therapy for lower ureteric stones is a successful procedure in children. Tamsulosin demonstrated no clinically significant adverse effect, while proving to be a safe and effective treatment option.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pediatric Urology and Endourology, Department of Urology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mokhless
authors.forename: Abdel-Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Zahran
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Youssif
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fahmy
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002214:Capsules; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D002214:Capsules; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin