Analysis of the Treatment of Two Types of Acute Urinary Retention

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the type of acute urinary retention (AUR) and evaluated the treatments used, including trial without catheter (TWOC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on 299 patients who were treated for AUR from January 2007 to August 2009. The patients were classified into the spontaneous AUR group (group S) and the precipitated AUR group (group P), in which AUR was consecutive to triggering events. The treatment modalities including TWOC, the success rate of TWOC, age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, the volume of the prostate, and the drained volume at catheterization were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: Of 299 men with AUR, 160 (54%) had spontaneous AUR and 139 (46%) had precipitated AUR. Compared with group P, patients in group S were more likely to be treated by surgery, either immediately (16.9% vs. 3.6%, p<0.05) or after prolonged catheterization (42.2% vs. 29.1%, p<0.05). The success rate of TWOC was lower in men of older ages (≥70 years) and in those with enlarged prostates (≥50 ml), higher PSA levels (≥3 ng/ml), and a large drained volume at catheterization (≥1,000 ml). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of AUR patients, there were slightly more patients with spontaneous AUR (54%) than with precipitated AUR (46%). The success rate of TWOC was more than 70% regardless of the type of AUR. Although TWOC is recommended primarily in the treatment of AUR, early surgical intervention should be considered if the patient has an enlarged prostate (≥50 ml) or a large drained volume at catheterization (≥1,000 ml).