The Intraprostatic Spiral: A New Device for Insertion with the Patient Under Local Anesthesia and with Ultrasonic Guidance with 3 Months of Followup

Abstract

Acute or chronic urinary retention (median retention volume 1,000 ml.) was relieved successfully in 41 of 45 consecutive patients by insertion of an intraprostatic spiral with the patients under local anesthesia and with ultrasonic guidance. Insertion guided by ultrasound was successful in 35 patients (77 per cent). In 6 patients the spiral was inserted via the traditional endoscopic technique. During 3 months of followup the spiral remained in situ in 27 patients and in 6 it was repositioned. These 33 patients had free voiding with a median maximum flow rate of 13.6 ml. per second. Residual urine volume 1 month after insertion of the spiral was low (median 27 ml.). In 8 patients the sprial was removed during the observation period due to urinary incontinence or retention. The intraprostatic sprial is a favorable alternative to an indwelling catheter in patients awaiting an operation and those with high operative risk.