The effect of terpene combination on ureter calculus expulsion after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.
OBJECTIVE
Terpene combination (Rowatinex) is known to help with the expulsion of urinary stones. The aim of this study was to determine how Rowatinex affects the expulsion of remnant stones after shock wave lithotripsy (SWL).


METHODS
Clinical data were collected retrospectively from 499 patients with a diagnosis of ureteral stones who underwent SWL from January 2009 to August 2012. Ureteral stones were diagnosed in all patients by kidney, ureter, and bladder x-ray and abdominal computed tomography (CT). The progress of patients was documented every 2 weeks to confirm remnant stones after SWL. The patients with remnant stones underwent SWL again. Group 1 consisted of patients who were prescribed an analgesic, Tamsulosin 0.2 mg, and Rowatinex. Group 2 consisted of patients who were prescribed only an analgesic and Tamsulosin 0.2 mg. The expulsion rate of urinary stones was compared between groups.


RESULTS
The expulsion rate of urinary stones was not significantly different between the two groups after 2 weeks. However, after 4 weeks, group 1 had a significantly higher expulsion rate (72.2% compared with 61.1%, p=0.022). Fifteen patients (10.2%) in group 1 and 40 (11.4%) in group 2 had to undergo ureteroscopic removal of the stone (p=0.756). Acute pyelonephritis occurred in one patient (0.7%) in group 1 and in one patient (0.3%) in group 2 (p=0.503).


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term administration of Rowatinex for 4 weeks increased the expulsion rate of urinary stones after SWL.
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dai Hee
DH
Kim
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyeok Jun
HJ
Goh
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ho Won
HW
Lee
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyu Shik
KS
Kim
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Tae
YT
Kim
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hong Sang
HS
Moon
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seung Wook
SW
Lee
Department of Urology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Yul
SY
Park
Lithotripsy; Terpene combination; Urolithiasis