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Management

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The first objective is to relieve the patient of the discomfort so provide some strong opiate analgesia. Try conservative methods first - privacy, sound of running water, and making the patient stand up.

Catheterise if these conservative methods do not provide relief. First, try a Foley catheter inserted via the urethra; if unsuccessful, try a suprapubic catheter.

Some factors that should discourage an attempt at simple urethral catherisation include:

  • previous prostatectomy
  • known urethral stricture
  • history of difficult catheterisation
  • non-retractile foreskin

NICE have suggested guidance regarding the management of acute urinary retention in an adult male (1):

  • immediately catheterise men with acute retention
  • offer an alpha blocker to men for managing acute urinary retention before removal of the catheter

Reference:

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