A randomized controlled trial evaluating sildenafil citrate in relieving ureteral stent related symptoms

Introduction & Objectives: To evaluate the role of Sildenafil Citrate (SC) in relieving ureteral stent symptoms. Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted between March 2014 and November 2016. It included adult men who underwent unilateral ureteric stent fixation after ureteroscopy (URS). Patients who had lower urinary tract symptoms before stent fixation or had contraindication to SC were not included. Indications of post‐URS stenting included excessive edema at the site of stone impaction or ureteric injury involving the muscle. Patients who developed postoperative complications (such as fever or hematuria) were excluded. Eligible patients were randomized using sealed closed envelops to one of two groups (S and C). Patients in group S received SC 50 mg once daily, and patients in group C were the control. All patients answered the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire (USSQ) after two weeks of stenting. Primary outcome was the difference in total USSQ score between both groups. Secondary outcomes were tolerability of the treatment as determined by development of adverse effects. Results: Final analysis was performed for 46 and 48 patients in groups C and S respectively (figure 1). Two patients in group S discontinued treatment because of headache and dizziness. Preoperative characters were comparable for both groups for (table 1). Total USSQ score and all domains (except work performance) were significantly lower in group S (P<0.001). Dysuria and urgency were significantly more in group C (table 2). Conclusions: Sildenafil Citrate is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for relieving ureteral stent related symptoms. (Figure Presented).