Relationship between detrusor pressure and urinary flow rate in males with an intraurethral prostatic spiral

Six patients with acute urinary retention and 2 with prostatic obstruction and urge incontinence were treated with an intraurethral prostatic spiral and underwent pressure-flow studies 51 days (median) later. Evaluation of pressure-flow parameters and pressure-flow plots by different methods gave conflicting results regarding the presence of infravesical obstruction; 6 patients showed no voiding symptoms and in 2 patients only moderate irritative symptoms remained. The spiral allowed unobstructed voiding and is a good alternative to an indwelling urethral catheter. We recommend insertion of a spiral in patients with urinary retention if the waiting period for TURP is long or if the patient is unfit for surgery.