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Lower urinary tract symptoms in men, age-related (including symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy) - Management
How do I manage chronic urinary retention in a man?
- Exclude non-obstructive causes of reduced urine flow (such as chronic heart failure).
- Check serum creatinine to assess renal function.
- Refer the man for specialist assessment.
- Consider seeking specialist advice about arranging imaging of the upper urinary tract and kidneys while the man is waiting to be seen.
- Management options in secondary care depend on renal function and the man's wishes, and include:
- No catheterization, but follow up with active surveillance of renal function, volume of urinary retention, and changes in imaging of upper renal tract.
- Intermittent urethral catheterization, performed by the man or his carer.
- A permanent indwelling catheter.
- Surgery to divert the urine externally (urostomy).
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