Another Study of Medical Expulsive Therapy for Ureteral Stones

Many studies have suggested that α-adrenergic blockers and calcium-channel blockers hasten the passage of ureteral stones. However, the authors of a recent meta-analysis noted critically that most studies lacked double-blinding (JW Nov 8 2007).

In a randomized double-blind study, researchers in the U.S. treated 69 consecutive patients who each had a distal ureteral calculus measuring ≤8 mm (mean size, 4 mm) with either the selective α_1a-blocker alfuzosin (Uroxatral) or placebo until passage of the stone. Patients who did not pass stones within 4 weeks underwent ureteroscopic removal. The rate of spontaneous stone passage was similar in the alfuzosin and placebo groups (74% and 77%), but stones passed significantly faster with alfuzosin than …