Acute Urinary Retention: Risks and Management

The document discussed acute urinary retention (AUR) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, which traditionally led to immediate surgery if catheter removal failed. It highlighted that AUR is progressive, with a cumulative risk increasing with age. Key risk factors included serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, maximum flow rate, and symptom severity. The study suggested that primary prevention efforts should focus on older patients with severe symptoms, larger prostate glands, and higher PSA levels. It was found that finasteride could reduce risk, and alpha-blockers could help patients achieve spontaneous voiding after AUR episodes.