Urinary problems in decompression sickness.

The records of 25 patients with type II decompression sickness and urinary problems have been reviewed. Seventeen patients were professionals and 8 were above the age of 40. The disease appeared within the 1st hour of emergence from the water in 70% of the cases and within the first 4 hours in the remaining 30%. Nine patients were diagnosed as paraplegic and two as tetraplegic. All patients had urinary disturbances and 14 were on Foley-catheter drainage during the decompression while 11 were on intermittent catheterisation. Fifteen patients had improved urinary function after recompression, 8 had some difficulty, 2 underwent a sphincterotomy and one a transurethral prostatectomy. The low percentage of complete recovery was due to the delayed arrival at the decompression chamber.