Effect of perioperative tamsulosin on successful ureteral access sheath placement and stent-related symptom relief: A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of administering tamsulosin before surgery on the successful insertion of a 12/14 French (F) ureteral access sheath (UAS) during the procedure, as well as the impact of preoperative and postoperative tamsulosin use on symptoms related to the ureteral stent.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This study was a randomized, single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 200 patients who underwent unilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery. Patients received either tamsulosin (0.4 mg) or placebo 1 week before surgery until stent removal. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group 1 received tamsulosin throughout the study period. Group 2 received tamsulosin before surgery and placebo after surgery. Group 3 received placebo before surgery and tamsulosin after surgery. Group 4 received placebo before and after surgery. The USSQ (Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire) was completed between postoperative days 7 and 14 immediately before stent removal.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients were included in this analysis. Their mean age was 55.0±11.0 years, and 48 patients (30.0%) were female. In the group that received preoperative tamsulosin, the success rate of 12/14F UAS deployment was significantly higher than that of the preoperative placebo group (88.0 vs. 75.3%, p=0.038). Preoperative and postoperative tamsulosin did not significantly alleviate symptoms related to the ureteral stent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results revealed that preoperative administration of tamsulosin improved the success of larger-sized UAS, whereas preoperative and postoperative tamsulosin use did not significantly alleviate symptoms related to ureteral stents.