Is prostaglandin E2 really of therapeutic value for postoperative urinary retention? Results of a prospectively randomized double-blind study.

In a prospectively randomized double-blind study 28 patients with urinary retention after anterior colporrhaphy were administered either placebo or prostaglandin E2 in different doses (0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, or 2.25 mg) intravesically on postoperative days 6 and 7. Urodynamic assessment was performed before and after treatment. A moderate but not significant decrease of maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, and maximum urethral closure pressure was found in patients treated with 2.25 mg of prostaglandin E2. These urodynamic changes did not correspond to the clinical outcome: Residual urine decreased and effective bladder capacity increased significantly in all four groups uninfluenced by the type of therapy. The rate of success (defined by the amounts of residual urine after therapy) was similar in the four groups. A long-term effect of prostaglandin E2 could also be excluded, since the mean time interval from operation to the first day without residual urine was similar in the four groups. Therefore the therapeutic value of intravesically administered prostaglandin E2 in doses from 0.75 to 2.25 mg must be seriously questioned.