This well designed, meta-analysis has reviewed all prospective, randomized controlled clinical trials that used only alpha-blockers in the treatment of ureteral stone patients, and included at least one control arm. This meta-analysis has nicely compiled 11 studies meeting these strict criteria and confirms the beneficial effect of this treatment implied by these small individual studies. The majority of the studies used tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily and half of them showed a significant benefit of therapy within two weeks. No consensus on the stone size, location, or degree of obstruction could be determined from this meta-analysis and these will be important areas for future clinical research endeavors. However, for now the expectant management of ureteral calculi should probably include administration of an alpha blocker.

Parsons JK, Hergan LA, Sakamoto K, Lakin C

J Urol 2007; 177(3): 983-987

Written by Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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