Résumé
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the existing management protocol of patients presenting with acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement on clinical efficacy and surgical practice. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: The Urology Unit at the Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle. PATIENTS: 100 consecutive patients with a first episode of acute urinary retention due to a clinically benign enlarged prostate. MEASUREMENTS: Success of voiding urine after one week of treatment with an alpha adrenoceptor blocker (prazosin). Incidence of subsequent urinary retention during the follow up period of 6 months despite continuing treatment with the drug. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients who completed the follow up period of 6 months, 56 voided successfully after the initial trial without catheter at one week. However, 12 of them developed urinary retention during the follow up and required surgery. CONCLUSION: Treatment with an alpha adrenoceptor blocker followed by a single trial without catheter can avoid prostatic surgery in 40% of patients with acute urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement.