Role of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors in the passage of ureteric calculus.

Diclofenac sodium, one of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors was evaluated in terms of passage or movement of ureteric stones upto the size of 0.5 cm in a series of 80 patients. Forty-six (57.5%) patients passed the stone within a period of 4 weeks. This frequency of stone passage was significantly higher when compared with stone passage of similar size in other series (P less than 0.001). In 17 (56.6%) out of 30 patients, stone moved from upper and middle ureter to the lower ureter which is also significant from therapeutic point of view. Complete pain relief was achieved in 67 (84%) patients. No side effects of the drug noted in this series. The sequence of events following ureteral obstruction by the stone, based on recent experimental and clinical studies is discussed and possible mechanism of action of diclofenac sodium was highlighted.