Should all patients with ureteric colic be admitted?

A two-part study was undertaken to determine if all patients with uncomplicated ureteric colic require admission. The analgesic requirements and outcome in 31 patients admitted with ureteric colic were assessed; 20/31 (64%) required no further analgesia after admission and 8/31 (26%) required only oral/rectal analgesia. In the second part of the study a protocol was introduced allowing patients with no complicating factors to be discharged directly from the A&E department. Of 58 patients seen in the A&E department, 29 were discharged for outpatient follow-up. Of these patients, 19 required no additional acute hospital treatment, five returned for further parenteral analgesia but outside the time they would have stayed in hospital under our previous protocol (ie beyond 48 h) and three returned within 48 h of their first attendance with pain which had not responded to oral analgesics. No patient discharged from A&E subsequently required intervention for obstruction or infection. We conclude that it is not necessary to admit patients with uncomplicated ureteric colic if the initial colic has been relieved and there is adequate social support.