Trial without catheter following acute retention of urine

A total of 60 patients with acute urinary retention were studied to establish whether a trial without a catheter was justified and to identify subgroups of patients most likely to benefit from this practice. The patients were randomly allocated to 3 groups; the catheters were removed either immediately after the bladder was emptied, or 24 or 48 h later; 17 patients urinated satisfactorily after removal of the catheter. Re-establishment of micturition was not associated with the length of history or severity of symptoms of prostatism, with age or the presence of urinary tract infection. The mean retained volume of urine in patients with a satisfactory result was 786 ml and 1069 ml in the failures. Of the 34 patients with retained volumes of less than 900 ml, 15 were successful in re-establishing micturition compared with 2 of 26 of those with retained volumes greater than 900 ml. The time of catheter removal was not important. The 17 successful patients were reviewed 6 months later. None reported further urinary retention; 6 had required prostatectomy for severe symptoms, 6 had minor symptoms and 5 were symptomless. It was concluded that a trial without a catheter is worthwhile, since 11 of 60 patients had not required surgery, but it should be avoided in patients with a residual volume exceeding 900 ml.