The role of Silodosin as a new medical expulsive therapy for ureteral stones: a meta-analysis.

To evaluate the efficacy of Silodosin as a medical expulsive therapy of ureteral stones, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and CBM up to June 2015. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified in which patients were randomized to receive Silodosin versus placebo or other therapies for ureteral stones. Outcome measures assessed were overall stone expulsion rate (primary) and expulsion time, analgesics times, and the incidence of additional treatment and regarding treatment complications (secondary). Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. All data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3. Seven RCTs with a total of 1035 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in stone clearance with Silodosin (Silodosin versus placebo, OR =1.69, 95% CI [1.19-2.40], p = 0.003; Silodosin versus tamsulosin, OR =2.82, 95% CI [1.79-4.44], p < 0.00001). According to the size and location of ureteral stone, the pooling effects of Silodosin were analyzed, with a meaningful expulsion rate in distal ureteral stone when the size was 5-10 mm. In addition, a shorter expulsion time, fewer analgesics times, and additional treatments were observed. The common side effect was retrograde ejaculation. In summary, Silodosin appears to be more effective than either placebo or tamsulosin. Within the limits of available data, high-quality multicenter RCTs are needed to thoroughly evaluate the outcome in the future.