Abstract
The efficacy of phenoxybenzamine and carbachol for the prevention of prolonged micturition problems was investigated in 160 consecutive patients with postoperative urinary retention. The patients were randomized into 3 groups: group 1-52 patients given 10 mg phenoxybenzamine, group 2-55 who received 2 mg carbachol and group 3-53 given a placebo. The drug was given orally twice daily for 3 days beginning immediately after the first catheterization. Only 17 percent of the patients in group 1 had recurrent retention after the first catheterization compared to 49 percent in group 2 and 57 percent in group 3. Phenoxybenzamine is significantly more effective than carbachol or a placebo for the prevention of prolonged micturition problems in patients with unexpected urinary retention postoperatively.