Adjunctive Sanjin Paishi Decoction plus phloroglucinol for enhanced recovery following ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy: Effects on stone expulsion, inflammation, and oxidative stress
Abstract
Background
Ureteral calculi are common in urological practice, and ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy (HLUL) is the preferred minimally invasive treatment. However, postoperative residual fragments and inflammatory responses remain frequent. This study evaluated the efficacy of Sanjin Paishi Decoction (SJPSD) combined with phloroglucinol in promoting stone expulsion and alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress following HLUL.
Methods
In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 192 patients with ureteral stones were assigned to either phloroglucinol alone (control) or SJPSD plus phloroglucinol (combined). After exclusions, 183 patients (control: 92; combined: 91) were analyzed. Outcomes assessed included stone-free rates at 7 and 14 days, hospital stay, postoperative pain (VAS), inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress indices (CAT, GSH-Px, MDA, ROS), and complications.
Results
The combined group achieved higher stone-free rates at 7 and 14 days (87.9% and 98.9%) than the control group (65.2% and 91.3%, p < 0.05) and reduced hospitalization time (p < 0.001). Patients in the combined group reported lower VAS scores and exhibited significantly decreased inflammatory mediators (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS) at day 7 (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of complications was lower in the combined group (2.2%) than that in the control group (11.96%) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Adjunctive SJPSD with phloroglucinol accelerates stone clearance, shortens recovery, relieves pain, and attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress, while reducing postoperative complications in HLUL patients.
© 2026 Hexiang An, Penghua Liu, Chuanhong Zheng, Shengnan Sun, published by Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.