Acute Urinary Retention

Abstract

Acute urinary retention usually is due either to obstruction of urinary passages or to interruption of normal vesical innervation. Catheterization relieves the discomfort promptly and prevents back-pressure effects on renal function. Risks of infection and trauma can be reduced by adequate lubrication of the urethra, proper selection and thorough sterilization of catheters, cleansing of the patient prior to instrumentation, and gentleness of manipulation. Before definitive measures are taken to correct the factors causing the retention, the urinary tract should be investigated thoroughly.