Results of treatment with tamsulosin in men with acute urinary retention
Kim, H.L.; Kim, J.C.; Benson, D.A.; Bales, G.T.; Gerber, G.S.
Techniques in Urology 7(4): 256-260
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1079-3259 PMID: 11763483 Document Number: 536893
The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the outcome in men treated with temporary catheter drainage and tamsulosin after an episode of acute urinary retention (AUR). Thirty-three consecutive men with AUR were treated with tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily for at least 4 days before a trial of voiding. Those men who were able to void adequately continued taking tamsulosin and were evaluated at 2-week and 3-month follow-up. After 3 months, additional follow-up was obtained at regular intervals as determined by the treating physician. Median follow-up was 6.5 months. Mean urine volume at the time of initial bladder drainage was 790 mL. Eighty-eight percent (29/33) of men were able to void initially. Transurethral prostatectomy or intermittent catheterization were necessary in 9 (27%) of 33 patients during the follow-up period. A poor quality-of-life score on the initial International Prostate Symptom Score (p = .038) and a high postvoid residual volume 2 weeks after catheter removal (p = .013) correlated with failure of medical therapy. Patients with AUR after nonurologic surgery had a significantly better outcome than those with AUR that did not occur postoperatively. Mean symptom score, quality-of-life score, and postvoid residual urine volume were 12.9, 2.7, and 111 mL, respectively, at 2-week follow-up and were 11.9, 2.8, and 61.7 mL, respectively, at 3-month follow-up. Mean peak urinary flow rate at 3 months was 7.7 mL/s. Tamsulosin appears to be helpful in the management of men with AUR. The majority of men were able to avoid surgery after temporary catheter drainage.