A prospective randomized trial comparing transurethral prostatic resection and clean intermittent self-catheterization in men with chronic urinary retention.

Objective: To determine whether a preliminary period of clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) before transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) improves bladder contractility and surgical outcome in men with chronic urinary retention (CUR), and whether pressure-flow studies (PFS) before TURP predict the outcome.

Patients And Methods: The study was a two-centre, pragmatic and randomized trial. Included were 41 men scheduled for TURP with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of > 7, benign prostatic enlargement and a persistent postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) of > 300 mL. They had conventional PFS using unphysiological filling. The patients then gave consent and were randomized into two treatment groups; the first had TURP after stabilizing renal function by indwelling catheterization if indicated, and the second was taught CISC. Men in both groups were reviewed at 3 and 6 months after surgery or the start of CISC, by the IPSS, urine culture and assay of plasma creatinine, and upper tract imaging and repeat PFS at 6 months. The primary outcome variables were IPSS, maximum urinary flow rate, voiding and end-filling pressures, and mean PVR; secondary variables included treatment failure, complications and other urodynamic measures.

Results: Of the 41 patients, 17 (mean age 67 years, range 52-84) were randomized to immediate TURP and 24 (mean age 69 years, range 55-85) to CISC. There was a significant improvement in IPSS and quality of life at 6 months in both groups (P < 0.001). In the CISC group there was a significant improvement in voiding and end-filling pressures, indicating recovery of bladder function (P < 0.001 for each). Of the 41 men, nine (22%) with voiding pressures of < or = 45 cmH2O had no significant improvement in symptoms or urodynamic variables. Detrusor overactivity was found in 17 (41%) patients, of whom six had upper tract dilatation which resolved after treatment.

Conclusion: The present results emphasize the usefulness of CISC in ensuring the recovery of bladder function in men with CUR. Measuring the voiding pressure before TURP can predict the surgical outcome. Both CISC and immediate TURP are effective for relieving LUTS and result in a better quality of life. A preliminary period of CISC before TURP for men with CUR and low voiding pressure may be valuable. The presence of upper tract dilatation is associated with high end-void and end-fill bladder pressures, and such men have a good outcome from surgery.